Priority Setting Partnership on Placental Pathology: Consensus recommendations for placental research

Placenta, vol. 160, pp. 67–72

Abstract

The placenta supports the metabolic and respiratory requirements of the fetus. Placental disorders, caused by various pathophysiological mechanisms, may result in adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Knowledge gaps remain in the understanding, reporting and interpretation of placental pathology relating to clinical conditions. This project aimed to collaboratively identify the most important unanswered research questions related to placental pathology. An international Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) was conducted, involving (perinatal) pathologists, obstetricians, paediatrician-neonatologists, midwives, and scientists with expertise in placental pathology. In the first survey, participants identified their three most important unanswered research questions. Afterwards literature was reviewed for evidence on the proposed questions. In a second survey, participants ranked the most important questions from an initial long-list. The top-ranked questions were then discussed and finalized in a 1-h online consensus workshop. Ninety participants completed the first survey. The majority of stakeholders were perinatal pathologists (n = 39 (43.3 %) and most were based in Europe (n = 43 (47.8 %). 270 questions were submitted; after review, these were subdivided into 32 overarching questions. The second ranking survey was completed by 53 participants. Twenty-five participants attended the online workshop, which reached consensus on the top 10. The questions focus, among others, on causes, recurrence risk, consistency of reporting, diagnosing tools and potential use of artificial intelligence. Following this international PSP, the top 10 prioritized research questions on placental pathology have been identified. This will inform the research agenda for funders and policy-makers, and is intended to improve care for patients suffering from placental insufficiency. • In this international Priority Setting Partnership, consensus was reached on the top 10 prioritized research questions on placental pathology. •Topics include causes of placental lesions, recurrence risk, consistency in reporting, diagnostic tools and the potential role of artificial intelligence. •The prioritized research questions will inform the research agenda, funders and policymakers, accelerating research on placental pathology.

Authors 10

1. Mauritia C Marijnen corresponding

   University Medical Center Groningen · University of Groningen · Amsterdam University Medical Centers · Amsterdam Reproduction Development · University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. Electronic address: m.c.marijnen@amsterdamumc.nl

2. M I Bügel

   University Medical Center Groningen · University of Groningen

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. Electronic address: m.i.bugel@umcg.nl

3. Teck Yee Khong

   South Australia Pathology · Women's and Children's Hospital · Women's and Children's Health Network · The University of Adelaide

   Affiliation as printed

   SA Pathology, Women's and Children's Hospital, University of Adelaide, North Adelaide, Australia. Electronic address: yee.khong@adelaide.edu.au

4. Neil James Sebire

   UCL Biomedical Research Centre · NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre · University College London

   Affiliation as printed

   NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, UK. Electronic address: neil.sebire@gosh.nhs.uk

5. Alexander E. P. Heazell

   University of Manchester

   Affiliation as printed

   Maternal & Fetal Health Research Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. Electronic address: alexander.heazell@manchester.ac.uk

6. Wessel Ganzevoort

   Amsterdam University Medical Centers · Amsterdam Reproduction Development · University of Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: j.w.ganzevoort@amsterdamumc.nl

7. Frank Harry Bloomfield

   University of Auckland

   Affiliation as printed

   Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. Electronic address: f.bloomfield@auckland.ac.nz

8. Elisabeth M. W. Kooi

   University Medical Center Groningen · University of Groningen · Beatrix Kinderziekenhuis

   Affiliation as printed

   Division of Neonatology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. Electronic address: e.kooi@umcg.nl

9. Lotte E. van der Meeren Aachen

   Leiden University Medical Center · Erasmus MC

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; Department of Pathology, Erasmus Medical Center, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: l.vandermeeren@erasmusmc.nl

10. Sanne Jehanne Gordijn

    University Medical Center Groningen · University of Groningen

    Affiliation as printed

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands. Electronic address: s.j.gordijn@umcg.nl