Fetal growth restriction (FGR), where a baby grows more slowly than expected, affects around one in 20 pregnancies worldwide.[1] Some babies may need to be delivered very early – before 32 weeks of pregnancy – to prevent life-threatening complications. However, preterm birth also carries significant risks that can affect survival and long-term quality of life. Dr Michael Wilkinson at the University of Manchester is investigating whether a drug already used during pregnancy can help babies stay safely in the womb for longer. If successful, this could ultimately lead to the first effective treatment for FGR, improving outcomes for babies and their families.
How are children’s lives affected now?
FGR is a leading cause of stillbirth and serious illness in newborn babies. Unfortunately, there are currently no effective treatments – so doctors can only monitor affected pregnancies closely and advise on the safest time for delivery.
“In the most severe cases, doctors and parents face an extremely difficult decision – whether to continue the pregnancy, or deliver the baby very early – both of which carry significant risks to the child,” says Dr Wilkinson. “Babies born before 32 weeks of pregnancy often spend months in neonatal intensive care – and many will still lose their lives or face lifelong health problems, including cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease and an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.”
FGR is usually caused by problems with the placenta, which supplies oxygen and nutrients needed to support the baby’s growth.
We urgently need effective treatments that allow babies with FGR to stay safely in the womb for longer, reducing the risks associated with very early birth.
How could this research help?
“Our goal is to find a safe and effective treatment that can improve outcomes for babies with severely restricted growth,” says Dr Wilkinson.
Evidence suggests that a drug routinely given before early delivery to help the baby’s lungs mature may also improve blood flow to the placenta, raising the possibility that it could also benefit babies with FGR.
“Initially, I will study how this standard treatment affects blood flow between the mother and baby using ultrasound scans,” says Dr Wilkinson. “We will also carry out laboratory experiments to examine its effects on placental blood vessels.”
Finally, he will also conduct a small clinical study to assess the effectiveness of lower doses of this drug in pregnancies severely affected by FGR.
“We hope our results will provide a strong foundation for a future clinical trial to determine if this treatment can help babies with FGR remain in the womb for longer, improving the chances of survival and reducing the risk of lifelong disability,” says Dr Wilkinson.
References
- Romo A, et al. Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR): epidemiology and etiology. Pediatr Endocrinol Rev. 2009 Feb;6 Suppl 3:332-6
Research table
Project details
| Project Leader | Dr Michael Wilkinson, BSc MBBS |
| Location | University of Manchester |
| Project Team |
Dr Stephanie Worton PhD MRCOG
Professor Jenny Myers PhD MRCOG |
| Grant Amount | £297,153 |
| Duration | 36 months |
| Grant Code (GN number) | RF4011 |
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