A simple blood test that could save the lives of hundreds of babies each year is the focus of a new study, awarded nearly $2 million by the Albanese Government.
Funded through the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the TIM TAMs study led by Professor Stephen Tong from the University of Melbourne, aims to validate the first placental health test across Australia.
The research team believes that a simple blood test could help health professionals better work out which pregnancies are at risk of stillbirth.
These pregnancies could then be closely watched and birth scheduled to prevent stillbirth or other health problems.
Around six babies are stillborn each day in Australia, and an estimated one in four pregnancies result in miscarriage.
Pregnancy loss causes great distress to parents, families and communities. However, much remains unexplained.
By better understanding the risk factors and causes, researchers believe more stillbirths can be prevented.
The Medical Research Future Fund provides grants to support health and medical research and medical innovation to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians.
This placental health study is one of 17 projects funded in the latest grant round, which is delivering nearly $25 million to support research into infertility, pregnancy loss and menopause.
Other funded projects include studies into the impact of plastic food packaging on female infertility, gaps in knowledge around perimenopause and menopause, and ways to better support parents in seeking help for pregnancy concerns.
Research funded through these grants is underway.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
“Pregnancy loss has a profound and far-reaching effect on parents, families and communities. However, in many cases we don’t know why it occurs.
“This blood test has the potential to save the lives of hundreds of babies each year – and save parents and families from terrible heartache.
“Through the MRFF grants, The Albanese Government is supporting research into some of the most difficult health challenges so that there are better treatments and support for infertility, pregnancy loss and menopause.
“I congratulate the University of Melbourne and grant recipients and look forward to seeing how their research delivers real change for women, babies and families.”