Placental MRI

Adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, are significant contributors to perinatal morbidity and mortality and are believed to have their roots in abnormal placental development. Currently, there are no clinically relevant quantitative imaging modalities for the prenatal assessment of the placenta. We have previously demonstrated the added utility of 3D ultrasound in evaluating gross placental morphology. Others have also used 2D and 3D Doppler ultrasound to assess placental vascularity. However, ultrasound has limitations in its ability to quantitatively assess placental perfusion and oxygenation - 2 key elements related to placental function. In this protocol, we seek to leverage expertise in functional MRI techniques used primarily for evaluation the human brain and heart and adapt them to quantify blood flow and oxygenation in the human placenta as a functional assessment of the placenta.