Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Genetics Research

Advancing High-Risk Pregnancy Care

The Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine focuses on advancing high-risk pregnancy care through innovative research. This includes studying placenta accreta spectrum, COVID-19 effects, preeclampsia, anemia, postpartum care, health policy, whole exome sequencing in stillbirths, and fetal outcomes. The New England Center for Placental Disorders (NECPD) contributes significantly, participating in the Pan American Society of Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS2) and hosting the nation's first biospecimen repository for PAS patients.

Innovative Research Advancing High-Risk Pregnancy Care

Faculty in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine are involved in innovative research projects that seek to improve health outcomes for patients with high-risk pregnancies and genetic conditions. Below is a brief summary of research.

• Placenta accreta spectrum biomarker discovery and validation
• Effects of placenta accreta spectrum on mental health
• COVID-19 biorepository: effects of the virus and vaccines on pregnant individuals<.p>
• Role of maternal immune response in preeclampsia and fetal growth-restriction
• Anemia and transfusion in pregnancy
• Patient perspectives on quality and access to care in the postpartum period
• Impact of health policy on pregnancy outcomes
• Whole exome sequencing in stillbirths
• Role of cell free DNA and fetal outcomes
• Various ultrasound abnormalities and fetal outcomes

Our New England Center for Placental Disorders is also an active participant in the Pan American Society of Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS2), a group of medical centers across the country collaborating to better understand and improve treatment options for patients with placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). In addition, the NECPD has the first national biospecimen repository for patients with PAS, a resource which has already provided opportunity for numerous investigations and discovery.