• Manchester centre - pre-eclampsia research
• Manchester centre - IUGR research
• Manchester centre - preterm labour research

Manchester Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre

'A world-class, uniquely holistic approach to understanding problems in mothers and babies that Tommy's should regard as a jewel'
Professor Lorna Moore and James Roberts 2005

The Manchester research centre's strategy is to perform basic scientific and clinical studies of normal and complicated pregnancies in order to improve pregnancy outcome through the translation of research findings into clinical practice. Consequently, 'bench-to-bedside' research is at the core of our current five year plan - Finding Solutions to Pregnancy Problems.  This is in keeping with Tommy's mission statement of seeking to first understand and then prevent major pregnancy complications.

Our scientific research has helped to make significant improvements in the prediction of pregnancy problems and our clinical setting in St Mary's Hospital has allowed our research to translate into important improvements in the management and treatment of patients.  

To find out more about the University of Manchester Maternal and Fetal Health Research Group visit http://www.medicine.manchester.ac.uk/research/groups/maternalfetalhealth/

Our team of researchers

The Research Centre in Manchester enjoys a rich scientific exchange and collaboration afforded by more than 60 clinicians and scientists from both the University of Manchester and Central Manchester and Manchester Children's NHS Trust. 

We have arguably the strongest cohort of trainee researchers in Europe and the quality of these researchers is being increasingly recognised. This is reflected in the quality and quantity of the Unit's research output over the last 12 months and is demonstrated by external awards and plenary lecturers. 

Centre Director - Professor Colin Sibley

January 2008 - Present

Colin Sibley took over the Directorship of the Manchester Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre in January 2008.  Colin has been closely associated with the Research Centre since it's establishment in 2001 so it was natural for him to step into the role of Director.  Colin won a prestigious Harkness Fellowship in 1989 and other international awards include the Ross Laboratories Lectureship of the Perinatal Research Society (USA) in 1997, and more than 25 invited plenary lectureships worldwide. He is Editor Emeritus of the journal 'Placenta' (having been European Editor for 6 years), on the Editorial Board of 'Journal of Endocrinology', a member of the MRC College of Experts and Chair of the Awards Committee of the International Federation of Placenta Associations.

http://www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/staff/ColinSibley

Our research

Our Manchester research centre links forefront discovery science to clinical studies of normal and complicated pregnancies to improve pregnancy outcome through the translation of research finding into clinical practice. 

The need for rigorous research into pregnancy problems is acute.  Pre-eclampsia (PE), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm labour (PTL) occur on a global scale of phenomenal proportions and they all greatly increase the mortality and morbidity rates for mothers and babies. 

Moreover the effects of a pregnancy complicated by these conditions can last a lifetime; offspring born to a mother with PE, IUGR or PTL have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes or obesity in adult life. In the UK alone, £4 billion is spent annually on neonatal intensive care needed by premature babies born to women suffering from these diseases. 

Our research into normal pregnancy

A placenta that develops and functions adequately is essential for a healthy and successful pregnancy, as the placenta acts as the porthole through which nutrients and waste products are exchanged between the mother and the developing baby.

Consequently our Group's portfolio of projects on the development and function of the placenta span from the point of pregnancy inception through to late gestation with an emphasis on establishing and refining laboratory models that replicate normal placental behaviour.

Our research into pregnancy complications

Pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth restrictions (IUGR) are the most commonly encountered placental disorders in clinical practice. Pre-eclampsia is a serious multi-system disorder of human pregnancy resulting in 70,000 maternal deaths worldwide. While maternal mortality resulting from pre-eclampsia is relatively low, it is estimated that 1 in 6 stillbirths in the UK occur in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia, and 43% have evidence of IUGR.

Currently, there are no effective interventions for pre-eclampsia or IUGR, except for delivery of the infant to preserve maternal or fetal health. This necessary intervention results in increased premature deliveries; it is estimated that 20% of UK neonatal intensive care unit occupancy results from such iatrogenic prematurity.

In addition to this, IUGR is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in later life, suggesting that individuals can be ‘programmed' during fetal life, resulting in life-threatening disease in adulthood.

The exact cause of both pre-eclampsia and IUGR is unknown, although abnormal development and / or function of the placenta have been implicated in both conditions.