Placental biomarkers to predict adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes

Background
Small for gestational age (SGA) and infants with late fetal growth restriction (FGR) are at greater risk of adverse outcomes including stillbirth, emergency caesarean section (CS) for fetal compromise and complications after birth. This study aims to establish whether a maternal blood test performed at 11-13 weeks and/or 18-32 weeks and/or >32 weeks gestation can be used to identify women and infants are at risk of these complications.

Aim
This study aims to evaluate strategies for detecting mothers and babies at an increased-risk of late-pregnancy stillbirth and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Specific aims include:
• Improving understanding and prediction of decreased fetal movements
• Assessing the role of routine third-trimester ultrasound scanning in reducing adverse outcomes
• Examining the role of PlGF (placental growth factor) in identifying women at-risk
• Assessing barriers to morphology scanning

Progress
Planning phase