Perinatal Ireland is an existing all-Ireland research network, and was the first such network established by the HRB in 2006. The network is active in obstetric and paediatric research, with a number of trials already completed or currently in progress. In addition to its clinical research activities, Perinatal Ireland is also active in other educational activities and methods of advancing clinical care including: annual teaching conferences for practitioners in critical areas of obstetric and paediatric health; development of national clinical guidelines to optimise the management of important obstetric conditions, and contribution to international guidelines; development of new information technology systems that underpin obstetric ultrasound based on data developed from our research findings.
With the foregoing in mind, this proposal seeks to build upon the Network’s previous successes through (i) expansion of the existing Network to include international luminaries and universal participation of the Irish Maternal Fetal Medicine community and (ii) execution of a series of well planned Network-wide activities. In particular the Network will:
– Carry out a definitive intervention study – “The TEST Study”- a 5,874 patient open-label randomised controlled trial of low dose aspirin, together with an early pregnancy screening test for preeclampsia and growth restriction.
– Carry out a pilot study – “The IRELAND Study” – a randomised study of 24 patients investigating the role of early low-dose aspirin in pre-existing diabetes to inform a larger planned RCT
– Carry out a second pilot study – “The Preterm Birth Study” – investigating patients at high risk for spontaneous preterm birth and the role of cervical cerclage, vaginal progesterone, or cervical pessary for its prevention
– Undertake a series of initiatives to ensure a high level of training, education and dissemination
– Actively seek out new funding streams thus ensuring the long-term sustainability of the network
