The placenta is a vital tissue necessary for the healthy development of the foetus. There is a paucity of tools to reliably assess in vivo placental health and function. Existing clinical tools for placental assessment remain insensitive in predicting and evaluating placental well-being.
Advanced MRI technique holds a significant promise for the dynamic, non-invasive, real-time assessment of placental health and identification of early placental-based disorders. Acute and chronic disruptions of normal placental development and function are associated with adverse neurologic outcomes in the term and preterm infant. Placental abruption, complete umbilical cord occlusion, or foetal haemorrhage are acute processes can result in severe hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in the term or preterm infant prior to delivery, increasing the risk of cerebral palsy and permanent neurologic injury.…
