Placental MRI (PiP-Ox)_ Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Placenta in pregnancy study: MRI placental structure, function and oxygenation
IRAS ID
200026
Contact name
NW Jones
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Nottingham
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging technique which is increasingly being used in a variety of clinical settings in obstetrics, gynaecology and fetal medicine. MRI affords us non-invasive methods to observe changes in size, structure, blood flow and oxygenation of the placenta and fetus throughout pregnancy.
Placental dysfunction is a world-wide public health problem, causing serious maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality and with long term consequences for the health of the child. Early identification of poor placental implantation or subsequent poor function would enable increased antenatal surveillance for high-risk women and initiation of treatments designed to improve pregnancy outcomes. Blood oxygenation within the placenta is heterogeneous since it contains both arterial and venous blood and also low saturated fetal blood. Oxygen consumption provides a clear marker of fetal health and oxygen transport is a major placental function.
This project is part of a collaborative, NIH funded grant with Kings College, London (Structure and function of the placenta from implantation to delivery: a next generation MRI approach). Nottingham will take the lead on developing the measures for assessing delivery of oxygen to the uterus and fetus, measuring oxygen gradients in the placenta and assessing the response of hyperoxia (increased oxygen) to the oxygen gradients in the placenta and uterine wall. The structure and function of the placenta including blood flow will also be assessed in line with the overall goals of this project. Women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancy or with pre-eclampsia or a suspected small baby will undergo MRI. The primary outcome is to establish methods of measuring oxygen delivery in the placeta in utero. This information, in future, will be used together with diffusion, mechanical, and structural information to try and predict pregnancy at risk of adverse outcomes related to placental pathology prior to any clinical apparent disease.REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EM/0308
Date of REC Opinion
23 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion