MRI-TIME
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Thermal Imaging of Adiposity in Neonates of Women with Metabolic Diseases
IRAS ID
287911
Contact name
Kuberan Pushparajah
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 6 months, 0 days
Research summary
Metabolic disease in pregnancy is known to affect a number of organ systems in both the mother and developing baby but there is limited knowledge about the extent of the impact upon fat (lipid) distribution and fat/heart function in the newborn baby, and how altered maternal blood lipid levels affect the baby. This study aims to investigate the effects of maternal metabolic disease on the fat content and distribution of the baby, and the appearance/function of different tissues including fat tissue, blood, muscle, liver and heart in the baby.
To assess fat distribution, a process called thermal imaging (TI) will be used utilising a specialised camera at the bedside. In addition to this, the study will look in depth at the different tissues of the baby after they are born (fat tissue, muscle, liver, heart) using an MRI scan. A group of participants will undergo further detailed investigation of the heart including an ultrasound before they are born and ECG’s both before and after birth. Blood will be taken from the mother in pregnancy and the umbilical cord at birth (or newborn baby if no cord blood available) to look at markers of metabolic disease and sugar and fat levels which will be partnered with the information from the other investigations. The participants will also include a group of women with healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy as a control group.
If there is evidence to show that there are any changes between children of women with metabolic disease and children of healthy pregnancies, it will help inform potential interventions and screening protocols in the future. This study will be conducted in St Thomas’ Hospital, London and the study is planned to be undertaken over a 30 month time period.
REC name
London - Queen Square Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/PR/0162
Date of REC Opinion
13 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion