Frequently Asked Questions

Why was I asked to participate in the study?

All women who receive fetal MRI for clinical reasons at UCSF Medical Center are asked to be part of the Fetal MRI Study.

What do my baby and I have to do to participate in the study?

To participate in this study, we ask that you give us signed permission to access the medical records regarding your pregnancy and those regarding your child’s development. These records will be kept completely confidential and none of our publications will ever use your personal information. Furthermore, we will ask you for your contact information so that we may call you in the future to ask about the outcome of your pregnancy, and if you delivered, about how your baby is growing and developing.

If your fetus has a condition known as Isolated Mild Ventriculomegaly we may be able to offer you two free fetal MRI scans, and then ask you to bring your child in for free non-invasive neurodevelopmental assessments after your child has been born. The first free fetal MRI would take place when you are between 22 and 28 weeks gestation in your pregnancy, and the second free fetal MRI would take place 6 weeks after the first. Additionally, we would like you to come visit us when your child is at 1 and 2.5 years of age for free non-invasive neurological and developmental assessments. If you are interested in receiving these services, please contact us."

If your fetus has a normal prenatal ultrasound and you are enrolling as a healthy volunteer for the study, then we will ask you to return for a free second fetal MRI scan (your first fetal MRI scan will also be free), and then, to come in for neurological and developmental assessments after your child has been born.

Is fetal MRI safe for me and my baby?

There are no known risks associated with fetal MRI. The MRI uses a magnet - not harmful radiation like the X-ray or CT scan - to take detailed pictures of your fetus’ brain. The MRI will not cause pain to you or your baby, and it has been proven to be a very safe procedure. Neither you nor your baby will receive any sedation or any other medicine during the procedure.

At worst, you may experience discomfort from lying on your back, or feelings of claustrophobia (fear of being in a closed space) during the exam. You will be given a buzzer that you can push to alert the technologist to your discomfort, and the scan can be temporarily stopped until you feel ready to continue. You will also be given earplugs to protect your ears from the loud noises made by the machine.

Is there any charge for being in the study?

No. If your fetus has Isolated MIld Ventriculomegaly, then both fetal MRI scans (if performed as part of this study) will be paid for by funds from our grant. If you are a healthy volunteer for the fetal MRI study, then both fetal MRIs (if performed as part of this study) will be paid for by funds from our grant. In addition, any neurodevelopmental assessments that are performed as part of this study will also be paid for by funds from our grant and we will give you parking stickers or bus/cab fare reimbursement to cover your transportation costs. If you are referred for a fetal MRI by your doctor for a reason other than Isolated Mild Ventriculomegaly then the fetal MRI will be billed to you or your insurance through routine billing channels

What are the benefits of participation?

By participating in the Fetal MRI Study, you and your baby will help advance medical knowledge about how different brain abnormalities influence a child’s development. We hope that this knowledge will help us provide accurate information to parents facing similar situations as yours.

Are there risks associated with enrollment?

For a complete list of and explanation of potential risks and discomforts, please refer to section C. of the consent forms for the Isolated Mild Ventriculomegaly Group and for the Normal Ultrasound Group. The consent form will be discussed with you and given to you in writing at the time of your enrollment along with Research Subjects’ Bill of Rights also available in English and Spanish.

How many babies have been enrolled in the study so far?

As of March 2006, we have enrolled over 430 mothers and over 500 fetuses in the Fetal MRI Study.

• Of the babies enrolled, 52% are girls and 48% are boys.
• The mothers of our babies range in age from 15 to 48 with an average age of 30 years.
• Most mothers had their fetal MRI done when they were in the 24th week of their pregnancy (range 18 to 38 weeks), and 8% of mothers had a second fetal MRI done 4 weeks later.
• The majority of the mothers were referred to UCSF for their fetal MRI from the Obstetric Clinics and the Fetal Treatment Center at UCSF, from the California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, from the East Bay Perinatal Center in San Leandro, and from other states as far as Virginia and Hawaii.

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