04Apr2025D A Telethon grant has been awarded to support vital research into Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS), a serious pregnancy condition... A Telethon grant has been awarded to support vital research into Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS), a serious pregnancy condition that affects one in 500 pregnancies. PAS happens when the placenta attaches too firmly to the uterus and, in severe cases, spreads to other organs like the bladder and bowel. The number of cases has increased dramatically over the years, mainly due to the worldwide increase of caesarean section births. Severe cases are often associated with major blood loss and complicated surgeries, making recovery difficult and can affect the mother’s ability to care for her newborn. Babies born to mothers with PAS are more likely to be born early, need resuscitation at birth, and require care in a neonatal intensive care unit. We currently don’t understand why some women develop PAS and why certain forms progress from the adherent accreta to the more invasive percreta. This study aims to address this critical gap in knowledge. The King Edward Memorial Hospital research project, titled Defusing the Placenta Accreta Time Bomb, will examine cells and tissues from women with PAS to investigate the underlying causes of PAS, and why it affects some women more severely. The study’s lead investigator Dr Mathias Epee-Bekima (pictured) - Lead of the Placenta Accreta Team at King Edward Memorial Hospital at North Metropolitan Health Service, and member of the Women and Infants Research Foundation Scientific Committee - said he hopes the study will uncover any genetic causes of PAS and specific biomarkers, allowing doctors to diagnose it earlier and develop new ways to prevent it. “We still don’t fully understand why PAS occurs or why some cases are more severe,” he said. “We hope that our research will provide crucial insights to help detect and treat this condition sooner.” By identifying the root causes, the study aims to improve care for mothers and babies. “If we can pinpoint women at risk earlier, we can potentially offer better care and reduce complications. “Ultimately, we want to find ways to prevent PAS from happening at all.” The Telethon grant for this research project will be administered through the Women and Infants Research Foundation - one of Australia’s premier medical research institutes, dedicated to advancing the health and wellbeing of women and babies. The Foundation is proud to be a beneficiary of this funding and thanks the Channel 7 Telethon Trust for their ongoing support of life-changing research. For close to 50 years, the Women and Infants Research Foundation has contributed to significant advancements in clinical practices and better health outcomes for women and babies across Australia and beyond. SHARE < Back To Listing