Children born with thin placenta are TWICE as likely to die of sudden heart failure

Research: Leading professor David Barker thinks characteristics of placenta should be recorded after birth

Doctors should take a series of measurements at birth to identify babies at risk of sudden cardiac death, according to a leading professor. It follows the publication of new research, which reveals that infants born with a thin placenta are more than twice as likely to die of sudden heart failure later in life.

At a meeting in Parliament on Tuesday to be hosted by Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham, experts will discuss whether to introduce a national screening programme to identify young people at risk of cardiac arrest and whether to increase the availability of potentially life-saving defibrillators in public places. Any recommendations will be passed to the Department of Health.

There are no warning signs that someone who is apparently healthy may be at risk of sudden cardiac death, and hundreds die – including young children – every year in the UK, many while playing sport. Bolton Wanderers star Fabrice Muamba collapsed in March during a match and survived only thanks to treatment by a cardiologist who was in the crowd. It is thought a thin placenta can affect the quality of a baby’s development in the womb by reducing the flow of nutrients between mother and child, and that this can affect the way the heart develops.

Screening programme: Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham could call for defibrillators in public places, something footballer Fabrice Muamba benefited from when he collapsed during a game

Professor David Barker, physician and clinical epidemiologist at the University of Southampton, said it was crucial the characteristics of the placenta were recorded. ‘We should routinely note the measurements after birth. We know the thicker the placenta the better, and that a thin placenta is associated with sudden death.’ Mr Burnham added: ‘It feels as if more youngsters than ever are being affected. It’s time to take a more structured view to see what we can do.’ A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘We keep the evidence for antenatal screening under regular review and will look at any new evidence.’

 Source: Daily Mail UK 

Please share