MRI assessment of the cervix in women at risk of preterm birth
Research type
Research Study
Full title
MRI assessment of the cervix in non-pregnant women at risk of premature birth
IRAS ID
242882
Contact name
Lisa Story
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
24 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Each year in the UK, 60,000 babies are born prematurely (<37 weeks). The earlier the
birth occurs, the higher the risk of the baby dying or facing significant health
complications. Risk factors for premature delivery include previous premature delivery and surgery to the cervix (neck of the womb), which includes treatments for abnormal smear tests or some Caesarean sections where the cut in the womb is inadvertently too low.
Treatment options to prevent early delivery include inserting a stitch into the cervix in an attempt to keep it closed. This can be inserted at different levels within the cervix either via the vagina or at an operation through the abdomen. However it can be associated with significant complications for the mother.
This study aims to assess the cervix in women who have previously had a premature
delivery using MRI (an imaging technique that uses magnets and can see very subtle
abnormalities in the structure of body tissues). Two groups of non –pregnant women
will be assessed and compared:
1. 20 women who had a premature delivery (<37 weeks) and surgery to the cervix.
2. 20 women who had a term delivery (>37 weeks): 10 with surgery to the cervix and
10 without.
If women who delivered preterm with surgery to the cervix have specific abnormalities
identified on the cervix at MRI this may target treatments: which women are most likely to benefit from a stitch and to ensure it is placed above the level of the abnormality.REC name
London - Bromley Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/0594
Date of REC Opinion
25 May 2018
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion