An Australia-wide trial will assess biomarker SPINT1 as a tool to predict stillbirth risk and reduce unnecessary interventions.
A novel blood test that measures placental health and has the potential to prevent stillbirths is to be trialled around Australia.
The TIM-TAMs clinical trial will be led by University of Melbourne researchers in collaboration with partner institutions across the country, backed by a $2 million Medical Research Future Fund grant.
The test measures circulating levels of the protein SPINT1, which the University of Melbourne team at the Mercy Hospital for Women previously identified as a biomarker for poor placental function and severe foetal growth restriction.
It would also flag pregnancies where the baby and placenta are healthy, and medical interventions can be safely avoided.
Trial co-investigator Associate Professor Roxanne Hastie, from the hospital’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Newborn Health said it was the first test of its kind.
“We hope that this test could become a regular part of antenatal care,” she said.
“It would be a simple blood test taken around 36 weeks gestation, helping to reassure many women but will also provide a vital window to intervene for those who need it.”
Chief investigator Professor Stephen Tong from the University of Melbourne and the Mercy Hospital for Women, said previous research had showed low levels of SPINT1 in the blood flagged pregnancies where foetuses were small and unwell because the placenta was functioning poorly.
“They are at 10-15 times increased risk of stillbirth,’’ Professor Tong said.
“Knowing when SPINT1 protein levels are low in the blood will allow early intervention to prevent infant loss of life.
“The baby can be birthed via a caesarean section or induced labour before a stillbirth happens.”
The TIM-TAMs study will assess the diagnostic performance of SPINT1 as a test of placental health in diverse Australian conditions, from Broome, Albury Wodonga to Gold Coast, Newcastle and across Melbourne.
Professor Tong said blood tests were commonly ordered to assess the health of organs like the liver, kidneys and thyroid and it would be simple to add one for SPINT1 if the trial proves successful.
“We still don’t have one for the placenta and we hope SPINT1 may become the first test of placental health,” he said.
Around six babies are stillborn each day in Australia, and an estimated one in four pregnancies result in miscarriage.
The Medical Research Future Fund provides grants to support health and medical research and medical innovation to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians.
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Federal assistant minister for Health and Aged Care, Indigenous Health and Women Rebecca White said pregnancy loss had a profound and far-reaching effect on parents, families and communities.
“However, in many cases we don’t know why it occurs,” she said.
“This blood test has the potential to save the lives of hundreds of babies each year – and save parents and families from terrible heartache.
