Akureyri Hospital
Awarded a grant to research placental insufficiency
18th February 2026
Jóhanna Gunnarsdóttir, Head of the Department of Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Landspítali – The National University Hospital of Iceland and the University of Iceland, has been awarded a research grant from Rannís for a large-scale study on placental insufficiency, also known as placental dysfunction, and its impact on childbirth. The project is entitled “Insights into placental insufficiency through placental histopathology to improve prediction of preeclampsia and stillbirth.”The research team includes Alexander Smárason, Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Akureyri Hospital (SAk) and Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Akureyri and SAk.
About the study
The aim of the study is to improve prediction of early-onset placental insufficiency, which often manifests as preeclampsia, and to enhance the diagnosis of late-onset placental insufficiency, which can result in unexpected stillbirth without prior symptoms.
Unlike many previous studies, this project will use detailed placental histopathological examination to better understand the underlying causes of placental insufficiency. Two histopathological subtypes will be examined in particular: impaired placental blood flow and inflammatory changes in the placental villi.
The research group aims to deepen understanding of placental insufficiency and its consequences by linking tissue damage to clinical symptoms and biomarkers. Certain biomarkers are believed to reflect early placental blood flow disturbances in pregnancy and have moderate predictive value for early-onset preeclampsia. However, new biomarkers are needed to improve the predictive accuracy of screening. This study population will enable researchers to search for specific biomarkers associated with placental blood flow disturbances.
Biomarkers indicating an inflammatory response late in pregnancy could help identify fetuses at risk of dying shortly before birth due to late-onset placental insufficiency, thereby making it possible to prevent deaths through timely induction of labor.
The integration of clinical, biochemical, and histological data will provide a valuable foundation for future research and contribute to improved prediction and prevention of the serious consequences of placental insufficiency.
The research team
In addition to Jóhanna and Alexander, the team includes:
Þóra Steffensen, specialist in placental pathology at Landspítali and Tampa General Hospital, USA
Jón Jóhannes Jónsson, Chief of the Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine at Landspítali and Professor at the University of Iceland
Hulda Hjartardóttir, Chief of the Maternity Team at Landspítali and Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland
Ragnheiður I. Bjarnadóttir, obstetrician-gynecologist at Landspítali
Brynhildur Tinna Birgisdóttir, obstetrician-gynecologist at Landspítali and researcher at Karolinska Institutet
International collaboration
The project will be carried out in collaboration with deCODE genetics, the Centre of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, and Rigshospitalet in Copenhagen.