‘Size is of moderately importance in fetal growth restriction’ Our aim is to get a better grip on placental insufficiency syndrome with fetal growth restriction as the condition of major interest.

We have a flourishing (inter)national collaboration with people interested in placental function. The placenta plays a pivotal role in the eventual outcome of health or disease. Several obstetrical conditions are related to reduced placental function such as fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia and preterm birth. Our research team is particularly interested in fetal growth restriction and has three major topics to study.

  1. Defining fetal growth restriction (FGR), harmonising definitions and research basics
  2. Translational (placenta and biomarker) research
  3. Monitoring management strategies/clinical implementation/prediction models

A small baby is not necessarily too small and a seemingly normal sized baby can be starved. The placenta plays a crucial role in health and disease. The placenta has a respiratory and a metabolic function. The metabolic function is measured by biometric measures by ultrasound (not a very reliable test) with size but the respiratory function measurements are more complex. Doppler flow patterns can be used but we need more markers to understand the full picture.

Our research focusses on:

  • Fetal growth restriction, a syndrome
  • Fetal growth restriction: diagnosis and definition
  • Fetal growth restriction: what is the best monitoring intervention strategy
  • Fetal growth restriction: and the placenta
  • Neonatal consequences
  • Perinatal mortality and bereavement care
Watch video Scan QR-code
Relevance

How our research benefits to society

We focus on placental dysfunction fetal growth restriction, a topic that needs input on how to discover and treat in the best way.

  • We have patients (representatives) involved in our study designs
  • We work on prevention and management
  • We work on clinical guidelines guidelines based on empirical evidence for fetal growth restriction (both small size and normal size with reduced fetal movements)
  • We organise webinars for professionals and patients
  • We perform translational studies to predict adverse outcome
  • We work on technical improvements in existing monitoring strategies
  • We aim to develop prediction models to apply in clinical practice
  • How we collaborate with national and international research centre to achieve our goals

Contact

Sanne Gordijn
Sanne Gordijn Groupleader and researcher

University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology
PO Box 30.001
9700 RB Groningen
The Netherlands

Visiting address
University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG)
Department of Obstetrics and Gyneacology
Hanzeplein 1
9713 GZ Groningen