Detection of placental blood flow patterns to spot preeclampsia and fetal growth issues
Official title: Detection of Preeclampsia and Fetal Growth Restriction Based on Simultaneous Assessment of Maternal and Fetal Blood Flow Components
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11319065 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A non-invasive ultrasound method analyzes maternal and fetal blood flow to help detect risk of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction in pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 8, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $598,644 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD118657-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11319065 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant individuals, including those with suspected or confirmed FGR or preeclampsia, and those with normal pregnancies, may participate.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not show clear differences in blood-flow patterns or may not receive direct changes to their care based on the results.
What this research studies
This project will use advanced 3D ultrasound and spectral analysis of the umbilical vein pulse wave to measure both maternal and fetal blood flow in the placenta over time. Researchers will compare the waves’ spectral envelopes and compute ratios that may distinguish normal pregnancies from those affected by FGR or preeclampsia. The goal is to provide early, safe, non-invasive insights to guide care and test potential treatments in real time. The study includes pregnant people with normal pregnancies as well as those with FGR or preeclampsia. 3D color flow ultrasound will be used with standardized methods to collect and analyze data.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could enable earlier detection and better management of FGR and preeclampsia through non-invasive monitoring.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest that placental blood-flow patterns can differentiate normal from high-risk pregnancies using spectral analyses.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kripfgans, Oliver D — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Kripfgans, Oliver D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Ethical, multimodal AI for predicting preeclampsia risk in early pregnancy
A data-driven AI tool uses early-pregnancy information from medical records, ultrasound, and notes to predict preeclampsia risk and support safer pregnancy care.
-
Placental support cells and fetal red blood cell quality in preeclampsia
This grant studies how placental support cells in preeclampsia affect the development and quality of a baby’s red blood cells.
-
Epigenetic clues to preeclampsia in pregnancy
This grant explores how epigenetic changes and paternal factors may contribute to preeclampsia, a condition that can affect pregnancy health.
-
Environmental air pollutants linked to preeclampsia risk in pregnancy
This study looks at whether common air pollutants called PAHs increase the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy.
-
Dynamic risk prediction and subtyping of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy
A digital health approach uses AI to spot early warning signs of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension from pregnancy data, so clinicians can tailor care for pregnant people.
-
Folate Receptor Beta and its Role in Preeclampsia
This study explores how a protein called folate receptor beta on placental immune cells may drive or worsen preeclampsia in pregnancy, with hopes of finding new ways to prevent or treat the condition.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.