Pituitary changes following obstetric haemorrhage: Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Assessing pituitary function following major obstetric haemorrhage.
IRAS ID
192079
Contact name
Helen Holt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Luton and Dunstable University Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This is a prospective cohort study investigating the biochemical pituitary function of women following a major post partum haemorrhage (>1000ml blood loss at delivery). The pituitary is a gland at the base of the brain that secretes the hormones adrenocorticotrophin releasing hormone (ACTH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) Leutinising hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), growth hormone (GH), and prolactin. A rare cause of pituitary dysfunction, resulting in hormonal deficiencies, is infarction of the gland due to massive blood loss post partum. This disorder is called Sheehan's syndrome. However, most women who suffer a massive post partum haemorrhage do not develop Sheehan's syndrome. The aim of this project is to identify whether subtle changes in pituitary function occur in these women in the absence of a complete Sheehan's syndrome clinical presentation. Samples taken at the time of the massive haemorrhage event, as well as subsequent samples taken from women at 2, 3, 4 and 12 months post-natally, will be used to identify trends in hormonal profiles. A control group (women that experienced a normal delivery) will also be recruited. The hormone profile of women in the control group will be assessed at 2,3,4 and 12 months post-natally.
REC name
East of England - Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0471
Date of REC Opinion
23 Dec 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion