Study to establish reference ranges for pregnancy for blood tests

ISRCTN ISRCTN17018939
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN17018939
IRAS number 287069
Secondary identifying numbers IRAS 287069, CPMS 47473
Submission date
10/02/2022
Registration date
07/03/2022
Last edited
03/04/2025
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
A woman’s body changes through pregnancy. This means the levels of many different hormones and other substances in the blood vary in pregnancy. Doctors, midwives, and other people who look after pregnant women should use reference ranges for these blood markers that are specific to each trimester of pregnancy, and not just use the ranges used for the non-pregnant population. This is in line with international guidance. We are therefore asking healthy pregnant women to given a sample of blood or urine so that we can provide up-to-date reference ranges for blood tests in pregnancy.

In particular we plan to make reference ranges for levels of different thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormone is vital for the neurological development of the baby, so ensuring that a mother’s thyroid hormone levels are normal is essential. We will also measure urine iodine levels as these affect how the body makes thyroid hormones. We also plan to measure some blood pressure hormones (renin and aldosterone) and a heart marker (troponin). We know that more women are suffering from blood pressure problems and heart disease in pregnancy, so being able to diagnoses these accurately is really important for good care of the mother.

Who can participate?
Women over 18 years of age with singleton pregnancies who are receiving antenatal care at Imperial College London NHS Trust.

What does the study involve?
Participants are asked to give an extra sample of blood during their routine blood tests in pregnancy. These samples are stored and then routine biochemical analytes (such as thyroid hormone levels) will be ascertained by running through a laboratory analyser.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
None

Where is the study run from?
Imperial College London (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2021 to February 2023

Who is funding the study?
Abbott Laboratories (USA)

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Tricia Tan, rebecca.scott22@nhs.net

Contact information

Prof Tricia Tan
Principal Investigator

Department of Digestion, Metabolism and Reproduction
6th Floor Commonwealth Building
Hammersmith Hospital
Du Cane Road
London
W12 0NN
United Kingdom

Phone +44 7970742784
Email rebecca.scott22@nhs.net

Study information

Study designCross sectional laboratory study
Primary study designObservational
Secondary study designCross sectional study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet 41136 PIS v2.0 07Jan2021.pdf
Scientific titlePregnancy Reference Ranges Study
Study acronymPREGRRS
Study objectivesThe aim of this study is to establish accurate, trimester specific reference ranges for biochemical analytes
Ethics approval(s)Approved 18/02/2021, East of England Research Ethics Committee (The Old Chapel, Royal Standard Place, Nottingham, NG1 6FS, UK; +44 2071048227; essex.rec@hra.nhs.uk), ref: 20/EE/0260
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedLooking at normal ranges in healthy pregnancy
InterventionWomen who are pregnant will be asked, as a one off, to given an extra sample of blood at the time that they have routine blood tests in pregnancy, plus in some instances a urine sample at the same time. They will also be asked to complete a brief, online questionnaire about their pregnancy and underlying health. The blood and urine samples will be stored, before being processed to establish levels of certain routine biochemical markers at each stage in pregnancy. Once the women have given their sample and completed the questionnaire, their participation in the study is complete.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureLevels of biochemical analytes in sampled blood will be analysed in accordance with national/international guidance:
1. Thyroid function - TSH, free T3, free T4
2. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies
3. Renin
4. Aldosterone
5. Folate
6. Iron
7. Troponin
8. Iodine
Secondary outcome measuresGestation of the pregnancy, the mother’s underlying health, and some demographic data measured at a single time point using a questionnaire
Overall study start date01/02/2021
Completion date01/02/2023

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexFemale
Target number of participants1200
Total final enrolment725
Key inclusion criteria1. Women over 18 years of age who are receiving antenatal care at Imperial College London NHS Trust
2. Singleton pregnancies
Key exclusion criteria1. Multiple pregnancies
2. Current or previous history of thyroid disease
3. Current or previous use of thyroid medications
4. Inability to understand and write in the English Language
5. Unable to participate for other factors as assessed by the Chief Investigators
Date of first enrolment07/04/2021
Date of final enrolment01/02/2023

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
The Bays
St Marys Hospital
South Wharf Road
London
W2 1BL
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Imperial College London
University/education

Room 215, Level 2
Medical School Building
Norfolk Place
London
W2 1PG
England
United Kingdom

Phone +44 2075949459
Email becky.ward@imperial.ac.uk
Website http://www.imperial.ac.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/041kmwe10

Funders

Funder type

Industry

Abbott Laboratories
Government organisation / For-profit companies (industry)
Alternative name(s)
Abbott, Abbott U.S., Abbott Alkaloidal Company
Location
United States of America

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/08/2024
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in peer reviewed journal
Results will also be disseminated throughout the ICS
IPD sharing planIf requested from Chief Investigators (rebecca.scott22@nhs.net)

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Other files Participant questionnaire
version 1.0
01/01/2021 11/02/2022 No No
Participant information sheet version 2.0 07/01/2021 11/02/2022 No Yes
Protocol file version 2.0 01/01/2021 11/02/2022 No No
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No
Results article 28/03/2025 01/04/2025 Yes No

Additional files

41136 Protocol v2.0 01Jan2021.pdf
41136 participant questionnaire V1.0 01Jan2021.pdf
Participant questionnaire
41136 PIS v2.0 07Jan2021.pdf

Editorial Notes

03/04/2025: Total final enrolment added.
01/04/2025: Publication reference added.
19/03/2024: The intention to publish date was changed from 01/01/2024 to 01/08/2024.
01/04/2022: added CPMS number to Protocol /serial number field.
11/02/2022: Trial's existence confirmed by NHS HRA.