The Renal Anhydramnios Fetal Therapy (RAFT) study is testing an experimental treatment for mothers and their babies affected by Early Pregnancy Renal Anhydramnios (EPRA). The study seeks to determine whether repeated injections of fluid (amnioinfusions) into the uterus can reverse the effects of EPRA such that affected babies have enough lung function to survive outside the womb.
What is EPRA?
Early Pregnancy Renal Anhydramnios is a condition where a pregnant woman does not have amniotic fluid around her fetus (baby) because of problems with the baby’s renal system. EPRA occurs when the baby’s kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra fail to properly develop, interfering with the baby’s ability to make or pass urine. After 16 weeks of pregnancy, the baby’s urine contributes more than 90% of the amniotic fluid around the baby. Amniotic fluid is essential for normal lung development in the baby. Untreated EPRA is considered universally fatal.
What is fetal renal failure?
Fetal renal failure (FRF) is when the kidneys are present but fail to make urine. FRF can result from a genetic condition or a blockage of urine exiting the bladder, which damage the kidneys. Diagnosis is made on prenatal ultrasound or MRI. These conditions can occur in isolation or with other fetal anomalies.
Why is this study important?
Fetal renal failure can lead to persistent absence of amniotic fluid (anhydramnios) and, in turn, underdeveloped fetal lungs. If anhydramnios occurs early in the pregnancy, infants may not survive without prenatal intervention.
Who may enroll in the study?
Fetuses with the following diagnoses are eligible:
- Bilateral multidysplastic kidneys
- Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction (LUTO) with kidney failure
Inclusion criteria
- Anhydramnios before 22 wks
- First amnioinfusion before 26 wks 0 days
- Maternal age ≥ 18 years
- Willingness to be followed, deliver, and receive infant care at a RAFT Center
Exclusion criteria
- Cervical length <2.5 cm
- Abnormal karyotype or microarray (significant pathogenic or likely pathogenic findings)
- Other significant congenital anomalies
- Chorioamnionitis or abruptio placentae
- Rupture of membranes or chorioamniotic separation
- Preterm labor
- Multiple gestation
- Severe maternal medical condition
- Maternal depression that is refractory to treatment
- Technical limitations precluding amnioinfusion
Participants may enroll in this study during pregnancy. If the fetal diagnosis is confirmed and the above criteria are met, parents can choose one of the following enrollment groups:
- Receive serial amnioinfusions (intervention)
- Observation throughout pregnancy (expectant management)
Why participate?
The known potential benefits for the participant who choose intervention is the possible survival of their baby from an otherwise fatal disease. For parents who wish to continue a pregnancy, this intervention may be the only way to prevent lethal respiratory failure.
Those parents that wish to participate in the study but not undergo fetal treatment will be providing important information by enrolling in the control group. These study participants could benefit patients who carry a fetus with FRF in the future.
Successful completion of this study could make this therapy available to all pregnancies complicated by FRF. Furthermore, this study may be applicable to other fetal diseases in which there is a low amniotic fluid level and a risk of pulmonary hypoplasia.
What can I expect if I enroll in the study?
Each enrollment group, intervention and expectant management, will be closely monitored. Each visit is important so those enrolled in the study will be asked to transfer prenatal care to the RAFT center. Relocation near the RAFT center (within 30 minutes) for the duration of the pregnancy after 26 weeks and delivery, is also required. Consecutive follow up appointments and counseling provided by specialists, are essential to the surveillance of both groups. The intervention will consist of serial amnioinfusions, of which its effectiveness will be measured throughout the pregnancy and postnatal follow-up assessments. The financial and logistical challenges will also be discussed.
How can I participate?
If you would like to participate in the study, please either email our study team at fetus@ucsf.edu or call 1-800-RX-FETUS. Additional information may be found on the RAFT trial website.
Study Team
Dr. Juan Gonzalez
Primary Investigator
Dr. Anita Moon-Grady
Co-Investigator
Dr. Paul Brakeman
Nephrologist
Dr. Mark Sugi
Radiologist
Kristen Gosnell
Study Nurse
Naya Ross
Nurse Coordinator