FERN: Intervention or Expectant Management for Early Onset Selective Fetal Growth Restriction in Monochorionic Twin Pregnancy
A prospective UK multicentre study open at 22 NHS sites to determine the incidence, natural history and outcomes of selective fetal growth restriction (sFGR) in monochorionic twin (MC) pregnancies according to whether they had active intervention or expectant management.
The FERN study aims to determine the feasibility of conducting a trial of active intervention versus expectant management in sFGR in MC twins. It will also examine women’s preference, clinicians’ preference, ethical dilemmas, current UK practice, number of cases per year, natural history of sFGR and key design elements required for a potential future trial.
To achieve these aims the study will use a mixed methods approach of 3 work packages.
Work Package 1
Will build on experiences from our recent survey of practice and the Twins Trust supported Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) registry to collect prospective data on the management and clinical outcomes of MC twin pregnancies complicated by sFGR. Twenty two UK Fetal Medicine Units will recruit 100 women with an MC twin pregnancy affected by early onset sFGR (<24 weeks). We will assess management strategies and clinical outcomes from routine practice. This will determine the natural history of sFGR, distribution of interventions and pregnancy outcomes.
Work Package 2
Will assess 25 parents’ and 25 clinicians’ management preferences via interviews and focus groups to identify ethical concerns and barriers to randomisation to management options. This information will be critically important in informing work package 3.
Work Package 3
Will utilise the information gained from work packages 1 and 2 to develop a consensus on a future definitive study. We will use Delphi methodology involving all stakeholder groups (patients, clinicians, funders and charities) to reach a consensus over two rounds. If appropriate, we will then be in a position to propose a specifically designed trial of active intervention versus expectant management for sFGR in MC twin pregnancy.
MC twin pregnancies complicated by sFGR have high rates of fetal morbidity and mortality. At present there is a lack of evidence to inform optimal management, particularly for early onset sFGR (<24 weeks).
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Recent papers
Chief Investigator: Professor Asma Khalil
Sponsor: University of Liverpool
Funder: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA)
Study Management: Harris Wellbeing of Women Research Centre
Status: Open
The FERN Study is open at 22 NHS sites throughout the UK and, the pregnancy and interview data being collected will provide an invaluable source of data for this type of twin pregnancy. Soon it will contribute to the design of a future clinical study and, in future years it will contribute to evidence for individuals to consider of typical outcomes when making decisions about the different management options that may be discussed during their pregnancy
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