South Australian researchers have found a new genetic mutation responsible for causing stillbirths and severe chronic disease in affected children, bringing new insight into lymphatic disease. “We found a genetic event that causes a rare lymphatic vessel disease,” Professor Natasha Harvey, a co-author for the study, said. The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and nodes that work as pipes and filters for tissue fluid. Although the vessels and nodes travel adjacent to the blood vessels and maintain fluid balance in tissues, they are also responsible for transporting immune cells to infection sites in our bodies. Central conducting lymphatic anomaly (CCLA) is a rare but severe lymphatic disorder characterised by the enlargement of lymphatic channels, poor motility of lymphatic fluid and obstruction of the vessels resulting in poor clearing reflux of fluid. “The effect of this disease is that fluid accumulates in the developing fetus, and when that accumulates …