Active not recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy - the Neonatal Burden of Disease

High blood pressure during pregnancy is a serious condition that can affect both the mother and baby. While it rarely leads to mothers dying in the UK, it still causes many early births and stillbirths. Studies also suggest that women from Black and Asian communities might experience worse outcomes. This research aims to understand the impact of high blood pressure in pregnancy on babies admitted to special care baby units across the UK. It will look at records of over half a million babies born between 2012 and 2020 in England and Wales to see how their health compares to babies whose mothers didn't have high blood pressure. The study will also explore if there are differences in health outcomes for babies from different ethnic backgrounds.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

823,957

Start

01 Jul 2021

Estimated completion

30 Sep 2025

Hypertension in Pregnancy

What is this study about?

About one in ten women will experience high blood pressure during their pregnancy. This can be serious for both the mother and the baby. While it's now very rare for mothers to die from this condition in the UK, it can still lead to sad outcomes like stillbirths (where a baby is born deceased) or babies being born much earlier than expected.

This study wants to understand more about how high blood pressure in pregnancy affects babies. Specifically, we want to know how many babies from mothers with this condition end up needing care in a special baby unit (called a neonatal unit) in the UK. We also want to compare their health and progress to babies whose mothers didn't have high blood pressure. Importantly, we know that women from Black and Asian backgrounds sometimes have worse health outcomes when they experience high blood pressure in pregnancy, so this study will carefully look at whether a baby's health outcomes also vary depending on their mother's ethnic background.

To conduct this research, we are not asking anyone to join a new study or change their medical care. Instead, we are using information that has already been collected from hospitals across the UK. This information is stored in a secure national database that contains records for all babies admitted to neonatal units in England and Wales between 2012 and 2020. By looking at these existing, anonymous records, we can get a clearer picture of the challenges babies face when their mothers had high blood pressure in pregnancy.

Key takeaways

This study uses existing, anonymous hospital records.
It aims to understand how high blood pressure in pregnancy affects babies.
The research looks at national data from UK special care baby units.
It will investigate if health outcomes differ based on the mother's ethnic background.
No new patients are involved, and patient care will not change.

Who may be eligible?

This study doesn't involve new patients. Instead, it uses existing, anonymous health information from a national database. Therefore, no one needs to meet specific criteria to 'join' this study.

The study will look at records of babies who were born between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2020. These babies must have been cared for in an NHS special care baby unit in England or Wales.

Since this study uses information that has already been collected for medical reasons, there are no specific 'exclusion' criteria beyond the dates and locations mentioned. All data used will be anonymous, meaning no personal details that could identify anyone are included.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Were you or your baby born between January 2012 and December 2020?
Was your baby admitted to an NHS special care baby unit in England or Wales?
No new actions are required from individuals for this study.
This study uses anonymous data, so your privacy is protected.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study does not involve anyone taking part directly. Researchers will be looking at existing, anonymous health records that have already been collected from hospitals. Therefore, there are no visits, assessments, medications, or follow-up appointments required from individuals. Your medical care will not be changed or affected by this study.

Potential risks and benefits

Since this study only uses anonymous patient records that have already been collected, there are no direct risks or benefits to individuals. No one is asked to do anything new, and no personal information will be shared. The potential benefit of this research is that it will help us better understand the effects of high blood pressure in pregnancy on babies, especially considering different ethnic backgrounds. This knowledge could help improve care for mothers and babies in the future.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Imperial College London
Verified postcode
London, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is high blood pressure in pregnancy?

It's a health condition where a pregnant woman's blood pressure is higher than normal, which can affect both her and her baby.

Is my personal information safe?

Yes, completely. The study only uses anonymous information that cannot be traced back to any individual.

Will this study change my medical care?

No, this study uses past records and does not involve any changes to how patients are cared for now or in the future.

Why are researchers looking at mothers' ethnic backgrounds?

Studies have shown that women from Black and Asian backgrounds sometimes have worse pregnancy outcomes with high blood pressure, so the researchers want to understand if this also affects their babies' health.

What is a neonatal unit?

A neonatal unit, also known as a special care baby unit, is where babies who are born early or are unwell receive specialist medical care.