Synopsis

Keywords: Cross-organ: Oxygenation

The placenta is an important organ that serves as a critical interface between a mother and her fetus. Deterioration in placental function throughout pregnancy is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Monitoring placental function throughout pregnancy is therefore a critical component of antenatal care, but few tools currently exist for direct assessment of placental function. MRI provides a tremendous potential for monitoring placental function. Development of quantitative MRI measures of placental oxygen delivery and transport between the mother and the fetus would increase our ability to detect placental insufficiency and could motivate and evaluate potential therapeutic interventions.