UKOSS study of vasa praevia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Incidence, management and outcomes of vasa praevia in the UK
IRAS ID
159956
Contact name
George Attilakos
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London Hospitals NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Vasa praevia (VP) is a very rare pregnancy complication when fetal vessels course through the membranes over the cervix and below the fetal presenting part, unprotected by placental tissue or the umbilical cord. When the fetal membranes rupture, the unprotected fetal vessels are at risk of disruption with consequent fetal haemorrhage. Mortality rate is reported up to 60% if the condition is undetected in pregnancy, whereas antenatal diagnosis can lead to survival rates of up to 97%. Currently routine screening for vasa praevia is not advised by national guidelines because “there is insufficient information on the case definition, natural history and epidemiology of the condition”. However, in confirmed cases of vasa praevia, the national guideline advises admission of the mother from 28 weeks of gestation to a unit with appropriate neonatal facilities to facilitate quicker intervention. In addition, elective caesarean section is advised prior to the onset of labour possibly at 35-37 weeks.
Currently there is very little information about the incidence of the condition and there is wide variety or practice nationally and internationally when it is diagnosed. This study aims to provide further evidence by collecting anonymous information about pregnancies with vasa praevia. This information will be collected through doctors and midwives in hospitals throughout the UK using an existing information collection system, the UK Obstetric Surveillance system (UKOSS). The research will be conducted at the Institute for Women’s Health, University College London Hospitals and is funded by the UCLH NIHR Research Capability Fund.REC name
East Midlands - Derby Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/EM/1237
Date of REC Opinion
10 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion