The Sibona Abantwana study is a sub-study to the Siyakubona Project , which is investigating the impact of implementing routine point-of-care ultrasound at primary health care clinics. Selected Siyakubona facilities – including those where the Sibona Abantwana study are being conducted – are also implementing routine third-trimester Doppler screening with the Umbiflow™ device. Umbiflow™ is used to see whether the placenta is functioning well.

Placental insufficiency – a condition where the placenta does not deliver enough nutrients and oxygen to the growing foetus – is seen in more than 10% of otherwise healthy pregnant women in Tshwane. This condition carries a high risk of stillbirth and of foetal growth restriction. Babies born after experiencing foetal growth restriction are smaller than they should be, and their brain development may be negatively impacted.

We do not know why placental insufficiency is so common in women who have no risk factors for pregnancy complications – this is one of the questions the Sibona Abantwana study is trying to answer, since we can only start developing treatments once we understand the underlying causes. We are also looking at the outcomes in infants up to one year, in terms of both growth and neurodevelopment.