Lead researcher
Associate Professor Caroline Gargett
Main finding
On the basis of re-examining old literature in the light of new discoveries such as endometrial stem/progenitor cells, this paper proposes that neonatal uterine bleeding which occurs in 5% of baby girls in the first week of life should be recorded so that prospective studies can be done to examine its links with reproductive disorders such as endometriosis.
Centre
The Ritchie Centre
Research group
Endometrial Stem Cell Biology
Journal and article title
Most surprising
A simple clinical observation - neonatal uterine bleeding - now regarded as inconsequential and ignored, could be a non-invasive biomarker for the development of the most severe forms of endometriosis in young girls as they reach puberty.
Future implications
Adolescent endometriosis normally takes 6-11 years to diagnose and neonatal uterine bleeding may lead to a more rapid diagnosis and hence earlier and more effective treatment. This could prevent many lost days of school and much pain for young girls, improving their quality of life and potentially protecting their fertility as 50% of women with endometriosis are infertile.
Disease/health impact
Early Onset Endometriosis
Other points of interest
We believe we have worked out a way of collecting data on neonatal uterine bleeding using social media and iPhones. Also, we are planning to develop an animal model of neonatal uterine bleeding in menstruating mice to determine if it causes endometriosis.
