The iPLACENTA project
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Maternal and Fetal Health: Interaction between Cardiovascular Markers and Placental Function (The iPlacenta Project)
IRAS ID
263195
Contact name
Asma Khalil
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Joint Research & Enterprise Services St George's, University of London and St George's University H
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 5 months, 30 days
Research summary
Several changes in the mother’s heart and blood vessels are necessary for a successful pregnancy. These modifications can be studied by simple and non-invasive tests such as measuring blood pressure and using ultrasound scans, which are safe in pregnancy. Changes in the heart and blood vessels can start before the onset of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia that is a serious condition for both mother and baby with a significant impact on maternal and/or fetal health. Preeclampsia is a condition where the mother develops raised blood pressure and her kidneys leak excessive protein in the urine. The main adverse maternal outcomes include fitting, bleeding in the brain and organ failure, but also problems to the baby such as being too small as it is not growing, stillbirth (death inside the womb) and being born too early (premature). Moreover, the disease requires attendance for frequent monitoring including repeated hospital visits. Not only can this cause anxiety to these women and their families, but it also has significant implications for the health service.
We wish to study this condition at three stages:
1. At the beginning of the pregnancy and throughout in women who are at high risk for developing preeclampsia. Using new monitoring methods could improve the identification of women who will develop preeclampsia.
2. Around the time of delivery in women who develop preeclampsia in order to improve the care we provide to the mother and child
3. After the delivery we plan to follow up these women in order to identify those who are more likely to develop raised blood pressure and heart problems later in life.REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/LO/0794
Date of REC Opinion
28 Jun 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion