Validation of fetal movement sensor
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development and validation of a non-invasive, wearable sensor for fetal movements
IRAS ID
135176
Contact name
Niamh Nowlan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Fetal movement is an important metric of prenatal health. Recent studies reported that roughly a quarter of women perceiving decreased fetal movements had poor outcomes at birth, such as preterm or small for gestational age births, and it has been reported that more than half of stillbirths are preceded by decreased fetal movements. However, there is currently no way to reliably monitor fetal movements outside of a clinical environment, and we have very little understanding of what a ‘normal’ or ‘safe’ level of fetal movement is. The aim of this project is to develop a wearable sensor that could non-invasively monitor fetal movements over extended periods of time. We have designed a system that uses acoustic (sound) sensors to monitor fetal movements, and we have shown that the system is reliable when compared to maternal sensation of movements. In this study, we will further develop the sensor system and will validate it by comparison with ultrasound scans of pregnant volunteers and against maternal sensation of movements at a range of stages of pregnancy. This research will provide a tool that will lead to a better understanding of the relationship between fetal movements and outcomes at birth.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0030
Date of REC Opinion
11 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion