The Fetal Growth Clinic created by Mater clinician and researcher Professor Sailesh Kumar is set to be replicated in Malaysia, providing specialised care to women with complex pregnancies in Malaysia.
This grant will provide funding for a conference of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) experts and help establish a Fetal Growth Clinic at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur, based on an established Mater model.
The Mater Fetal Growth Clinic was established more than two years ago by Senior Specialist in Maternal Fetal Medicine, Professor Sailesh Kumar using an NHMRC research grant. It has now cared for more than 800 women with complex pregnancies.
Prof Kumar, who is also Group Leader of Genesis Maternal Fetal Medicine Research at Mater Research said that the establishment of the Fetal Growth Clinic in Malaysia will improve outcomes for small babies in Malaysia. He said that it was a proud moment for Mater to help lead this initiative. “We hope that eventually, the model will be rolled out more broadly throughout the ASEAN region.”
Alongside the funding from DFAT, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Malaya will provide in kind support for all aspects of the project, including staff and infrastructure costs. Two Malaysian obstetric sonographers will also receive training at Mater Mothers’ Hospital’s Centre for Maternal and Fetal Medicine in Brisbane, focusing on ultrasound assessment of fetal wellbeing and pregnancy management for complex cases.
The conference to be held in Kuala Lumpur in 2025 will bring together more than 100 regional clinicians, researchers, and parent representatives from ASEAN member nations to discuss and develop strategies to reduce adverse outcomes for small and vulnerable infants.
“This partnership will leverage the expertise and leadership of Mater Researchers and clinicians to address the unmet clinical needs of women, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups,” Prof Kumar said.
“These populations have the highest rates of small-for-gestational-age infants and poor outcomes, making this initiative crucial to improve birth outcomes. The Malaysian Fetal Growth Clinic will build on our local data and experience, which has improved health outcomes for small babies in Queensland,” Prof Kumar said.
After completing her PhD with Mater Research and The University of Queensland under Prof Kumar’s supervision, Dr Jesrine Hong, a Malaysian maternal fetal medicine specialist, will return to Kuala Lumpur to lead the clinic.
Dr Hong said that the University of Malaya deals with many women with small infants.
“Our project will directly benefit this vulnerable cohort, ensuring that outcomes for these women and babies will significantly improve,” Dr Hong said.
“I am looking forward to returning to Malaysia in 2025, bringing the experience and knowledge that I have gained at Mater to help Malaysian women and their babies.”
