Research Standardizes Vasa Previa Studies, Paving the Way for Improved Prenatal Care
A new study from the Obstetrics Research and Outcomes Study (OROS) group, published in JAMA Network Open, marks a key step in maternal-fetal medicine research. The study introduces a standardized ‘core outcome set’ and reporting checklist for research on vasa previa – a rare but serious pregnancy complication. This development will improve the reliability of future studies and ensure that patient-important outcomes guide clinical advancements.
Vasa previa occurs when fetal blood vessels, unprotected by the umbilical cord or placental tissue, lie close to the cervix. These vessels face a high risk of rupture during labour, which can lead to fetal blood loss or stillbirth. Despite its severity, research on vasa previa has been inconsistent due to variations in outcome reporting, making it difficult to develop clear clinical guidelines.
“This research brings together perspectives from individuals with lived experience and pregnancy care providers across 27 countries,” said Rohan D’Souza, senior author of the paper. “By establishing a standardized set of outcomes and a reporting checklist, we are ensuring that future research is patient-centered, clinically relevant, and applicable across different healthcare settings.”
These outcomes, identified through consultation with patients and healthcare providers, prioritize both clinical factors and patient-reported experiences, including maternal quality of life and neonatal neurodevelopment. The aim is for researchers to consistently measure and report these key outcomes in all future studies on vasa previa.
Alongside this, the reporting checklist ensures that all studies consistently document critical data points, including maternal and fetal risk factors, interventions, and both short- and long-term health outcomes. This approach will enable better comparisons across studies and support the development of clinical guidelines that reflect a broad range of patient experiences.
One of the key strengths of this research is its international scope. With input from 115 individuals with lived experience of vasa previa and 89 pregnancy care providers worldwide, the findings reflect diverse perspectives and clinical contexts. This global representation strengthens the recommendations and helps healthcare providers apply standardized best practices in different settings.
For expectant parents and the medical community, this research highlights the importance of early detection and consistent care for vasa previa. Increased awareness, improved early detection methods, and standardized outcome reporting will lead to better interventions and health outcomes for families affected by this condition.
“This core outcome set is the first of several being developed by the OROS initiative and lays the foundation for research that directly addresses patient-important problems, enabling meaningful improvements in clinical practice,” D’Souza emphasized. “By ensuring that future studies align with what matters most to patients and families, we can improve care in a way that has lasting impact.”
As these standards are adopted, prenatal care will become more patient-centered, with a stronger focus on the outcomes that truly matter to families. The OROS team’s work provides a model for improving research in other rare conditions and strengthening the evidence base for clinical practice.
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