Using biomarkers and ultrasound in late pregnancy to minimise preventable stillbirth: the BUMPS study
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Head of Research Group
Professor Sue Walker+ 61 3 845 84381
Project Details
Stillbirth is a tragedy that abruptly ends 1 in 130 pregnancies in Australia, and 3 million a year across the globe. 50% of stillbirths are associated with fetal growth restriction, which arises from poor placental function. The risk rises once pregnancies reach term gestation (>37 weeks).
Surprisingly, only 20-30% pregnancies with fetal growth restriction are actually diagnosed during pregnancy. Identifying more cases of fetal growth restriction has been recognised internationally as key to decreasing rates of stillbirth.
We are working towards developing a universal stillbirth test performed at 36 weeks’ gestation that identifies most cases of fetal growth restriction. Such pregnancies could be safely delivered before a stillbirth happens. If developed, this could have a major impact on the incidence of stillbirth.
Researchers
- Professor Susan Walker AO (CIA) Sheila Handbury Chair of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Head of Department O&G
- Associate Professor Tu’uhevaha Kaitu’u-Lino (CIB) Researcher
- Professor Stephen Tong (AI) Research Clinician
- Dr Teresa MacDonald (AI) Research Clinician
- Dr Richard Hiscock (AI) Research Clinician
- Ms Anna Middleton Research Midwife
- Ms Alexandra Roddy Mitchell Research Midwife
- Ms Alison Abboud Research Midwife
- Ms Valerie Kyritsis Research Midwife
- Ms Jacqueline Free Research Midwife
Funding
This research is funded by an NHMRC Project Grant #1160711