Fetal growth restriction has no treatment and often forces very early birth. This project tests whether low‑dose steroids taken by the mother during pregnancy can improve placental blood flow, helping babies stay in the womb longer and reducing stillbirth, prematurity and lifelong health risks.
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Fetal growth restriction (FGR) affects up to 7% of pregnancies and is a major cause of stillbirth, newborn death and lifelong disability. There is currently no treatment to improve placental function, so doctors often must deliver babies very early to prevent stillbirth, exposing them to serious short‑ and long‑term health risks.
Our charity will fund and support research to test whether the steroid dexamethasone can safely improve placental blood flow in pregnancies affected by fetal growth restriction. By enabling studies in women, scans and lab research, we aim to generate evidence for a new treatment that could delay premature birth, reduce stillbirth, and improve lifelong outcomes for vulnerable babies.