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Yale scientists develop 'gas gauge' to prevent pregnancy loss
August 03, 2009New Haven, Conn. - To combat the many fetal deaths that occur annually because the placenta is too small, researchers at Yale School of Medicine have developed a method to measure the volume of the placenta, which provides nourishment to the fetus.
Limits in current technology keep doctors from being able to monitor the growth of the placenta, which, like the gas tank of a car, is the source of fuel for the fetus. The placenta can be so small that the fetus literally runs out of food and oxygen and dies, according to lead author Harvey J. Kliman, M.D., a research scientist in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences. He and his colleagues published the results of their findings in the August 3 issue of the American Journal of Perinatology.
Fetal death, or intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD), affects 30,000 women each year in the United States. Until now, there has been no easy way to determine how much "gas" is left in the placenta's tank.
Kliman decided to study this issue after noting that many late-term pregnancy losses were associated with very small placentas. He theorized that in much the same way that an obstetrician uses ultrasounds to follow the growth of the fetus, or a pediatrician weighs and measures children to ensure they are growing normally, the growth of the fetus' placenta could be monitored.
When Kliman asked perinatologists (maternal fetal medicine specialists) why they did not look at the placenta when performing routine ultrasounds, the answer was always the same: The placenta is a curved structure and is too difficult to measure. If they had to measure the placental volume they would need a very expensive machine, specialized training and more time.
With the help of his father, Merwin Kliman, a mathematician and electrical engineer, Kliman developed an equation that used the maximal width, height and thickness of the placenta. Kliman and his team at Yale then validated the method by comparing the volume predicted by the Estimated Placenta Volume (EPV) equation taken just before delivery to the actual weight of the placenta at the time of delivery.
"In this study, we showed that the equation predicted the actual placental weight with an accuracy of up to 89 percent," said Kliman. "The method works best during the second and early third trimesters, just when routine ultrasound screening is done on many women in the U.S."
In addition to validating the equation, the team is also collecting EPV data from centers around the world to create the normative curves that doctors can use to determine if the placenta is normal, too small or even too big. "I hope that the EPV test becomes routine for pregnant women," said Kliman.
Yale University
Kliman decided to study this issue after noting that many late-term pregnancy losses were associated with very small placentas. He theorized that in much the same way that an obstetrician uses ultrasounds to follow the growth of the fetus, or a pediatrician weighs and measures children to ensure they are growing normally, the growth of the fetus' placenta could be monitored.
When Kliman asked perinatologists (maternal fetal medicine specialists) why they did not look at the placenta when performing routine ultrasounds, the answer was always the same: The placenta is a curved structure and is too difficult to measure. If they had to measure the placental volume they would need a very expensive machine, specialized training and more time.
With the help of his father, Merwin Kliman, a mathematician and electrical engineer, Kliman developed an equation that used the maximal width, height and thickness of the placenta. Kliman and his team at Yale then validated the method by comparing the volume predicted by the Estimated Placenta Volume (EPV) equation taken just before delivery to the actual weight of the placenta at the time of delivery.
"In this study, we showed that the equation predicted the actual placental weight with an accuracy of up to 89 percent," said Kliman. "The method works best during the second and early third trimesters, just when routine ultrasound screening is done on many women in the U.S."
In addition to validating the equation, the team is also collecting EPV data from centers around the world to create the normative curves that doctors can use to determine if the placenta is normal, too small or even too big. "I hope that the EPV test becomes routine for pregnant women," said Kliman.
Yale University
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Swiss Lamb Placenta Complex, 800mg 100 Capsules by 7-W Worldwide A rich source of nutrients, growth factors and bioactive cylokines directing the differentiation and development of a fetus. It has been known and used as Chinese medicine for over 1400 years. It can improve the look of the skin, alleviete menstrual pain, improve resistance to infection, increase sperm production and potence. |
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Pathology of the Human Placenta, Fifth Edition by Kurt Benirschke (Author), Peter Kaufmann (Author), Rebecca N. Baergen (Author) "Pathology of the Human Placenta" remains the authoritative text in the field and is respected and used by pathologists and obstetrician-gynecologists alike. Advances in genetics and molecular biology continue to make the study of the placenta one of vast diagnostic and legal importance. New to this edition is author, Rebecca Baergen, M.D., Chief of Perinatal and Pediatric Pathology at The New York Hospital-Cornell Hospital Medical Center and author of the "Manual of Benirschke and Kaufmann's Pathology of the Human Placenta". The fifth edition reflects new advances in the field and includes 173 new color illustrations. |
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NuHealth Sheep Placenta, 720mg 100 Softgels by Nu-health Products Co. Placenta's health benefits include: * Anti-aging * Revitalizing to the skin * Boosting the immune system * Improving physical vitality * Promoting general health |
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Hask Placenta Treatment Pump Super Strength 4 oz. + 1 oz. Vial Free by Hask This super strength hask placenta instantly treats the damage and restores silken texture, body and shine for dramatic improvement. It is specially formulated for hair that is extremely damaged by relaxing, tinting, bleaching and exposure to the sun. 1 oz. Vial FREE |
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Super Natural Placenta Creme SPF8 by Pearson & Craig Super Natural Placenta Propolis and Royal Jelly Facial Moisturiser PL01 3.53 oz A premium anti-wrinkle premium placenta cream enriched with aloe vera, vitamin E, collagen, pure New Zealand Bee Propolis and Royal Jelly. Helps rejuvenate tired skin, and has a penetrating action that reduces existing lines. Use as both day and night cream. |
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Skin Renew Placenta Serum From New Zealand by Pearson & Craig Skin Renew Placenta Serum with Marine Collagen and Vitamins C & E 1.35 fl oz Advanced anti-deep-wrinkle repair serum enriched with sheep placenta extract. This product provides intense skin hydration and helps reconstruct the skin by promoting cell renewal. In addition to placenta extract, the products contains aloe vera, marine collagen, and rose, grape seeds, and green tea extracts. |
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Placenta Plus 070 Placenta + Protein Reconstructor Conditioner 32.0 oz ( 1 Liter ) by Palm Beach Beauty Products This high potency formula with Natural Plant Extracts, placenta and protein, repairs and conditions weak, limp and broken hair. Tangles and snarls disappear instantly. Placenta Plus Reconstructor Conditioner is pH balanced to close the cuticle and immediately lock in the benefits of Nettles, Yarrow, Burdock, Rosemary and Aloe, plus placenta and protein. Your hair has extra body and color highlights, feels soft, silky and more manageable after just one treatment! |
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NuHealth DNA Lamb Placenta II, 100 Softgels by NuHealth DNA Lamb Placenta is rich in marine protein, collagen, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamine A, elastin and more than 30 different amino acids. Some of these nutrients promote cell growth, some regulate hormone secretion and some strengthen our immune system. Placenta is a rich source of nutrients, growth factors and bio-active cytokines. It is based on these bio-essentials that fetus is developed and new life is created. Scientific studies found that placenta contains high level of special proteins (placenta proteins) and more than 30 different amino acids. Some of these nutrients promote cell growth, some regulate hormone secretion and some strengthen our immune system. Placenta has many health benefits. They include anti-aging, skin revitalizing, boosting immune system, improving physical... |
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