18/11/2025
Improving the detection and management of Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR) is key to reducing preventable stillbirth — and a new grant will expand the Mater’s Fetal Growth and Assessment Clinic to further this vital work.
Congratulations to Prof Sailesh Kumar, who leads the Genesis Research Group at Mater Research and is a Stillbirth CRE Chief Investigator. Prof Kumar and his team have received funding from the Channel 9 Telethon (2025) to expand this life-saving service to Southeast Asia and other Queensland hospitals.
Since May 2022, the Mater Fetal Growth and Assessment Clinic has supported over 1,168 pregnancies, resulting in more than 1,000 healthy babies born. Women cared for in this dedicated clinic - which integrates screening, surveillance, and research - report high satisfaction with their care and experience lower stillbirth rates compared to other Queensland births.
Aligning with the Stillbirth CRE’s Safer Baby Bundle element of monitoring for fetal growth restriction (FGR). The clinic’s model exemplifies how evidence-informed screening and care pathways can enhance pregnancy care and support better outcomes for families.
The clinic’s success has also generated significant research outputs and established a large biobank to support collaborative studies. This funding will help sustain the team’s ongoing commitment to improving pregnancy care and outcomes, ensuring more families receive the support they need.
The generous support from the Australian Government and the Nine Telethon Mater Little Miracles campaign is gratefully acknowledged.
