Current Research
Caroline Joyce
Title: Identification of Biomarkers for the Diagnosis, Management and Follow-up of women with Gestational Trophoblastic Disease
Objective:
To examine the molecular mechanisms underlying gestational trophoblastic disease.
The following work packages will be completed during Caroline’s PhD:
- Survey of women on the National Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Registry to inform service requirements
- Audit of Molar Pregnancies using genetic classification to establish incidence rates for partial hydatidiform moles.
- Assess the performance of different immunoassays for measuring the biomarker, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in blood.
- Evaluation of new biomarkers for earlier diagnosis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia
Publications:
Orchid: Connecting Research and Researchers
Joyce CM, Coulter J, Kenneally C, McCarthy TV and O’Donoghue K
Experience of women on the Irish National Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Registry. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2022 Mar 28;272:206-212. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2022.03.039 PMID:35367922
Joyce CM, O’Shea PM and O’Donoghue K
Authors’ reply to “Is there a role for C-reactive protein during and after labour?” Ann Clin Biochem 2021 Nov;58(6):672-673. PMID: 34098757. DOI: 10.1177/00045632211020774
Joyce CM, Deasy S, Abu H, Lim YY, O’Shea PM and O’Donoghue K.
Reference values for C-reactive protein and procalcitonin at term pregnancy and in the early postnatal period. Ann Clin Biochem 2021 Sep;58(5):452-460. PMID: 33730872. DOI: 10.1177/00045632211005807
Supervisors and Other Departments:
Prof. Keelin O’Donoghue, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital
Prof. Tommie McCarthy, Dept. of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, University College Cork
Dr John Coulter, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital
Funding:
Irish Research Council Employment-based Programme Postgraduate Award
Contact Information:
Email: carolinejoyce@ucc.ie
Tamara Escanuela Sanchez
Title: The RELEVANT study - REducing stiLlbirth through bEhaViour chAnge iNtervenTions
Objective:
The overall aim of this PhD is to build the evidence-based to inform the development of a behaviour change intervention to raise awareness of and reduce risk factors for Stillbirth in Ireland. In order to achieve this, the PhD will utilise the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) tool, which was developed from consensus study by researchers in health psychology and implementation science. In order to develop an intervention the BCW broadly involves understanding and defining the behaviour; identifies the appropriate intervention and identifies the supportive policy categories to support intervention implementation.
Studies involved:
- Identification of risk factors for stillbirth – Literature review.
- Identification and assessments of current online resources – Quantitative content analysis of Irish and UK websites.
- Identification of facilitators and barriers for behaviour change – Meta-synthesis of qualitative research.
- Exploring postpartum women’s experiences of behaviour change and communication during pregnancy – Qualitative study.
- Identification of interventions and Behaviour Change Techniques used in the context of stillbirth prevention – Systematic Reviews.
Publications:
Escañuela Sánchez, T., Meaney, S. & O’Donoghue, K. Modifiable risk factors for stillbirth: a literature review. Midwifery 79, 102539 (2019) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0266613819302311?via%3Dihub
Escañuela Sánchez, T., Meaney, S. & O’Donoghue, K. Stillbirth and risk factors: an evaluation of irish and Uk websites. J. Commun. Healthc. (2020) https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17538068.2020.1807887
Escañuela Sánchez T, Matvienko-Sikar K, Linehan L, O'Donoghue K, Byrne M, Meaney S. Facilitators and barriers to substance-free pregnancies in high-income countries: A meta-synthesis of qualitative research. Women Birth. 2021 Apr 29:S1871-5192(21)00076-7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1871519221000767?via%3Dihub
Escañuela Sánchez T, Byrne M, Meaney S, Donoghue KO, Matvienko-sikar K. A protocol for a systematic review of behaviour change techniques used in the context of stillbirth prevention [ version 1 ; peer review : 1 approved with reservations ]. 2021:1-9. https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/4-92
Escañuela Sánchez, T., Linehan, L., Byrne, M., O’Donoghue, K. & Meaney, S. Facilitators and barriers to seeking and engaging with antenatal care in high-income countries: a meta-synthesis. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 224, S256 (2021).
Supervisors and Other Departments:
Prof. Keelin O’Donoghue, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork.
Dr. Karen Matvienko-Sikar, School of Public Health, University College Cork.
External supervisors:
Dr. Sarah Meaney, National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre, University College Cork.
Prof. Molly Byrne, School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway
Funding:
The RELEVANT STUDY is a doctoral research project for Tamara Escañuela Sánchez and is funded by Science Foundation Ireland.
Contact Information:
Email: escanuelasanchez@ucc.ie
Laura Linehan
Title: Infertility and Subsequent Recurrent Miscarriage: An Examination of Pregnancy Outcomes, Service Evaluation and Patient Experience
Objective: To identify how women and couples with RM and Infertility are best managed within the Irish Health Service, directed by international guidelines and patient experience.
To investigate this, the following projects will be undertaken as part of Laura’s PhD;
1. Literature Review - “Recurrent Miscarriage and Infertility: Current state of the literature and future considerations for practice and research”
2. Cohort Study - “Pregnancy outcomes following recurrent first trimester miscarriage: a retrospective cohort study”
3. “A National Service Evaluation of Recurrent Miscarriage and Infertility Care”
4. RM and Infertility Cohort Study – “Examining the care of women with RM and infertility in consideration of international Key Performance Indicators of RM care”
5. Qualitative Study –“The experiences of women and couples with recurrent miscarriage and infertility in Irish Maternity Services”
6. Recurrent Miscarriage Clinical Practice Guideline
Publications: Linehan L, Hennessy M and O'Donoghue K. Infertility and subsequent recurrent miscarriage: Current state of the literature and future considerations for practice and research [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review]. HRB Open Res 2021, 4:100 (https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13397.1)
Supervisors and Other Departments: Prof Keelin O’Donoghue, Dr Marita Hennessy
Contact Information:
Email: laura.linehan@ucc.ie
Caroline O' Connor
Title: : Multiple pregnancy: An investigation of the risk factors and outcomes in the Republic of Ireland (The MILESTONE study)
Objective:
- Examine the current maternity care provided for the antenatal management of dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancies, through the identification, appraisal, and review of national and international clinical practice guidelines.
- Identify the maternal and care-related risk factors associated with perinatal mortality and explore perinatal mortality within the twin population in the ROI.
- Identify neonatal outcomes of very low birth weight twin pregnancies in the ROI.
- Identify the specific service needs of women/couples, to inform future developments and help improve the quality of care within the maternity services.
- National service evaluation within the ROI on the provision of antenatal care to DCDA twin pregnancies and establish if the care provided is in line with national and international recommendations.
- Contribute to the development of a DCDA twin pregnancy clinical practice guideline.
Studies involved:
- Protocol for systematic review – “A protocol for a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines for the antenatal management of dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy”
- Systematic review – “Clinical practice guidelines for the antenatal management of dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy: a systematic review”
- Secondary analysis of the perinatal mortality national data– “An exploration of perinatal mortality within the twin population in the Republic of Ireland”
- Secondary analysis of the very low birth weight infant national data – “Neonatal outcomes of very low birth weight twin pregnancies in the Republic of Ireland”
- Qualitative Study – “The experiences of women with dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies in Irish Maternity Services”
- Service evaluation – “A National service evaluation of dichorionic diamniotic antenatal care management”
- Dichorionic diamniotic clinical practice guideline
Publications:
O'Connor C, Leitao S and O'Donoghue K. A protocol for a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines for the antenatal management of dichorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy [version 1; peer review: 1 approved] HRB Open Research 2021, 4:115 (https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13418.1)
Supervisors and Other Departments:
Keelin O’Donoghue, Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital.
Sarah Leitao, National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre, University College Cork.
Funding:
Irish Research Council - Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship
Contact Information:
Email: carolineoconnor@ucc.ie
Links to Affiliate Research
Dr Emily O Connor - Structured Evaluation and Implementation of a National Perinatal Mortality Review Tool for Ireland: