Beyond MARS: Magnetic Resonance Study: A Novel Assessment of Placental Perfusion During Pregnancy

NorthShore University HealthSystem

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Placenta Diseases

Treatments: Diagnostic Test: functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06314009

EH23-302

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the flow of oxygen and blood necessary for nutrient transfer across the placenta during the second and third trimesters in pregnancy in women who are obese before pregnancy compared to women who have an average weight before pregnancy. This study will evaluate blood flow across the placenta by functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) using arterial spin labeling (ASL). The investigators hypothesize that there will be differences in placental oxygenation and blood flow among women with obesity as compared to those with normal weight. Participants will be asked to complete Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans (MRIs), the first in the second trimester at 20-24 weeks and the second in the third trimester at 30-34 weeks.

Full description

The transfer of oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the baby across the placenta is essential to successful pregnancy outcomes. Conversely, poor transfer of oxygen from the mother to the baby through the placenta is associated with adverse outcomes, including poor fetal growth, preterm delivery, and stillbirth. Babies need oxygen to maintain good health. Babies born to women who are obese before pregnancy have a higher risk of experiencing health problems in pregnancy and long-term health problems such as metabolic syndrome, obesity, and diabetes. Obesity has continued to increase in the United States over the past decades, and a quarter of pregnancy complications, such as preterm birth, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and large gestational infants, can be attributed to maternal obesity.

In this study, the investigators propose using a novel method, arterial spin labeling (ASL)) to measure placental blood flow. The study aims to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of assessing placental blood flow by this novel method. The investigators will also evaluate the mean global placental perfusion of second and third trimester placentas among obese women as compared to those with a normal weight before pregnancy. To provide an innovative and comprehensive evaluation of placental oxygen delivery and insights into the delivery of nutrients, investigators will compare global placental perfusion of second and third trimester placentas with measurements of placental oxygenation by R2* relaxation rates.

Enrollment: 30 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• singleton pregnancy

Exclusion criteria

• multifetal gestation
• congenital anomaly
• claustrophobia, or ineligible for MRI (incompatible implanted medical device)

Trial design

30 participants in 2 patient groups

Normal Weight

Description:

Body Mass Index (BMI) 18.5-24.9 kg/m\^2

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Obese

Description:

Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30.0 kg/m\^2

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)