Riley Children’s Health is leading a study to gain a deeper understanding of fetal anemia. Led by Dr. Hiba J. Mustafa, the study hopes to create a database for future research, paving the way for standardized management and treatment strategies for fetal anemia.
In a study led by Hiba J. Mustafa, MD, director of fetal surgery at Riley Children’s Health, maternal and neonatal data is being collected for pregnancies and deliveries complicated by conditions that can cause fetal anemia, primarily maternal antibodies.
Fetal anemia is known to occur when the amount of circulating fetal red blood cells falls below normal levels. It is often a life-threatening fetal condition and can cause severe adverse effects on the fetus. The most common cause of fetal anemia is maternal alloimmunization. This is when maternal antibodies against the fetal red cell antigens destroy the fetal red blood cells, which results in hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN).
“The goal of our study is to create a database that will aid in generating future studies using retrospective analysis of the database to answer questions regarding the management and outcomes of these pregnancies,” said Dr. Hiba J. Mustafa. “Since there are a variety of different antepartum and postnatal monitoring strategies and treatments for fetal anemia, this study will offer new opportunities to create a standardized approach to managing the condition.”
Those eligible to enroll in the prospective portion of the study include pregnancies meeting the following criteria: pregnancies needing monitoring for the development of fetal anemia, patients ages eighteen or older, and patients who consent to participate. “For those that participate, we will be collecting maternal and neonatal data that arises from the standard care that the patient and her neonate receive antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum,” said Dr. Brittany J. Arkerson. Enrolled patients can leave the fetal anemia database at any time.
This leading-edge research is one of multiple open studies from the Fetal Center at Riley Children’s Health. The Fetal Center delivers comprehensive evaluation, counseling, and care for expectant mothers with high-risk fetal conditions.