New Zealand research may aid inutero growth of small babies

CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand research could pave the way for a new treatment for babies whose growth in the womb is stunted by problems with the placenta.

Foetal growth restriction is usually linked to problems with the placenta, which means the foetus does not get enough nutrients and oxygen.

This affects 5%10% of babies, which is between 3000 and 6000 in New Zealand annually.

Research has also found a possible basis for a blood test for mothers that could identify atrisk babies in utero.

There is no treatment currently except inducing birth early, but premature babies carry a greater risk of problems with growth, learning, and adult diseases such as obesity and diabetes.

Babies who did not grow properly in utero are also more at risk of being stillborn or dying shortly after birth.

Researchers, based from the University of Auckland and the University of Otago, injected a growth factor — IGF1 — into the amniotic fluid surrounding growthrestricted sheep foetuses.

Their findings are the first to show that not only did IGF1 boost growth in late pregnancy, it had no negative effects on survival rates or health and development in the two weeks following birth.

‘‘There was a risk that the placenta would be unable to meet the increased demands of the larger foetus during periods of stress, such as labour, so our findings are reassuring,’’ study lead Prof Frank Bloomfield said.

IGF1, a naturally occurring growthpromoting hormone, has previously been shown to improve foetal growth in mammals, but this was the first study that has looked at its longterm effects.

‘‘Then the next step would be to test this potential treatment in atrisk pregnant women,’’ Prof Bloomfield said. — NZN