HRPP Manual Section 12-6
Pregnancy Testing When Research Involves Non-Contrast MRI of the Head
When an MSU human subject research project involves a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) procedure, the IRB typically does not require the research protocol include a urine pregnancy test for women who are capable of pregnancy prior to participation if all of the following criteria are met:
- Women are certain of their pregnancy status
- MRI scan is limited to the head
- Contrast agent is not used
- Research does not involve children
- Research does not involve a legally authorized representative
- An IRB-approved screening form is used
Research that includes women capable of pregnancy that may meet these conditions will include an IRB-approved screening form to provide a mechanism for education, self-reporting, and the ability to opt-out of pregnancy testing. However, women who are unsure of their pregnancy status will be required to undergo a urine pregnancy test prior to participation.
A template “Pregnancy Screening Form for Women Undergoing an MRI in Research” is available on the human research website.
For ongoing research, use of this guidance will require a revision and IRB approval prior to implementation.
This guidance document supersedes those previously drafted.
Version Date: 4-3-2013
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