Breakthrough Research Predicts Outcomes for High-Risk Pregnancies and Offers Hope for Treatment

2shares
0
2
0
0
0
0
0

Scientists at University College London have made groundbreaking advancements in predicting outcomes for pregnancies with poor fetal growth. This research, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, focused on 142 women who had severe early-onset fetal growth restriction(FGR).

FGR affects an estimated 60,000 babies each year in Europe and the U.S., posing serious risks such as extreme preterm delivery or stillbirth. This study aimed to provide more clarity and insight into what to expect when dealing with this condition.

The results showed that some babies with fetal growth restriction continue to grow and are born around their due date, while others face extreme preterm delivery or stillbirth. In England alone, the cost of neonatal care for these cases amounts to £262 million annually.

Lead author, Dr. Rebecca Spencer, emphasized the importance of predicting pregnancy outcomes to help families and doctors make informed decisions. By analyzing blood samples and ultrasound measurements, the researchers were able to develop statistical models that accurately predicted outcomes such as stillbirth, neonatal death, and the need for extreme preterm delivery.

The findings from this study will not only improve the care and support given to families of babies with fetal growth restriction but also assist doctors in determining the frequency of ultrasound scans and the administration of antenatal steroids.

Moving forward, these prediction methods could be utilized to identify women who would benefit from participating in clinical trials for potential treatments. The EVERREST consortium, led by Professor Anna David at UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health, is currently developing a novel drug to enhance the growth and outcomes of small babies in the womb.

With the hope of eventually improving therapy for fetal growth restriction, this research has brought together experts from various institutions, including University College London Hospital, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Lund University, and the Barcelona Center for Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine.

SOURCE

{cstock}