2025 Research Grant

The Brianna Marie Foundation is proud to partner with Dr. Braxton Forde from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to advance research of synthetic amniotic fluid. When a fetus’s kidneys fail, the disorder halts fetal urine production, depriving the lungs of vital amniotic fluid and often leading to fatal respiratory complications at birth. While traditional amnioinfusions using standard IV fluids can improve outcomes, they pose high risks and may even contribute to inflammation. In response, Dr. Forde and his team developed Amnio-well, a synthetic amniotic fluid designed to mimic the natural environment of the womb. Early research has shown it significantly reduces inflammation and promotes healthier lung development. With support from the Brianna Marie Foundation, the team is now conducting advanced studies in pregnant sheep to compare Amnio-well to standard treatments, paving the way for safer, more effective fetal therapies. This work may also benefit other delicate fetal surgeries that rely on amnioinfusions, potentially reducing complications across the board.