Non-invasive transabdominal measurement of placental oxygenation: a step toward continuous monitoring

This study aimed to assess transabdominal placental oxygenation levels non-invasively. A wearable device was designed and tested in 12 pregnant women with an anterior placenta, 5 of whom had maternal pregnancy complications. Preliminary results revealed that the placental oxygenation level is closely related to pregnancy complications and placental pathology. Women with maternal pregnancy complications were found to have a lower placental oxygenation level (69.4% +/- 6.7%) than those with uncomplicated pregnancy (75.0% +/- 5.8%). This device is a step in the development of a point-of-care method designed to continuously monitor placental oxygenation and to assess maternal and fetal health. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement

Automated summary

The study found a close relationship between placental oxygenation levels in pregnant women and pregnancy complications and placental pathology, with women with pregnancy complications having lower placental oxygenation levels. The wearable device designed in this study aims to continuously monitor placental oxygenation levels and assess maternal and fetal health.