Prenatal Cell-Free DNA Screening With Fetal Enrichment Enables Sampling From 8 Weeks of Gestational Age.

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening for fetal aneuploidy is typically offered from 10 weeks of gestational age (GA) onward. Fetal fraction (FF) enrichment may enable screening before 10 weeks with a low failure rate. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of cfDNA screening with in vitro enrichment before 10 weeks of gestation.

Reinfection With Cytomegalovirus During Pregnancy: A Prospective Cohort Study in Canada.

Congenital cytomegalovirus infections (cCMV) are an important cause of childhood neurodevelopmental deficits. Most cCMV are the result of maternal non-primary infections during pregnancy, which can be due to reactivation or reinfection. To identify the rate of CMV reinfection during pregnancy and its risk factors.

First-Trimester Soluble fms-like Tyrosine Kinase 1 (sFlt-1) for the Prediction of Preterm Preeclampsia.

While soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1) is used to predict preeclampsia (PE) and its severity in late pregnancy, we aimed to clarify its role in early pregnancy. Using prospective cohorts, we estimated the association between sFlt-1, adjusted for gestational age, and preterm PE. sFlt-1 was significantly decreased in the first trimester, mostly before the 13th week, and significantly increased in the third trimester in those who developed preterm PE and particularly early-onset PE.

First-Trimester PlGF and PAPP-A and the Risk of Placenta-Mediated Complications: PREDICTION Prospective Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the association between low first-trimester maternal serum PlGF (placental growth factor) and PAPP-A (pregnancy-associated plasma protein A) and the risk of placenta-mediated complications.

Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of the PREDICTION study, including nulliparous participants recruited at 11 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. First-trimester PlGF and PAPP-A levels were reported in multiples of the median (MoM) adjusted for maternal characteristics and gestational age.

Development and validation of a prognostic model to predict birth weight: individual participant data meta-analysis.

Objective: To predict birth weight at various potential gestational ages of delivery based on data routinely available at the first antenatal visit.

Design: Individual participant data meta-analysis.

Data Sources: Individual participant data of four cohorts (237 228 pregnancies) from the International Prediction of Pregnancy Complications (IPPIC) network dataset.

Prospective Validation of First-Trimester Screening for Preterm Preeclampsia in Nulliparous Women (PREDICTION Study).

Background: Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) studies suggest that preterm preeclampsia can be predicted in the first trimester by combining biophysical, biochemical, and ultrasound markers and prevented using aspirin. We aimed to evaluate the FMF preterm preeclampsia screening test in nulliparous women.

Methods: We conducted a prospective multicenter cohort study of nulliparous women recruited at 11 to 14 weeks.

CX3CL1/Fractalkine as a biomarker for early pregnancy prediction of preterm premature rupture of membranes.

Objectives: The objective of our study was to evaluate serum CX3CL1/Fractalkine, a monocyte/macrophage chemoattractant expressed in cytotrophoblasts and decidual cells, as a predictive biomarker for the occurrence of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).

Methods: A case-control study of 438 pregnancies including 82 PPROM cases and 64 preterm labor with intact membranes cases with blood samples collected at first trimester, second trimester and delivery was conducted. The predictive ability of CX3CL1 and maternal risk factors for the occurrence of PPROM was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Impact of COVID-19 and Vaccination During Pregnancy on Placenta-Mediated Complications (COVIGRO Study).

Objectives: COVID-19 has been associated with preterm birth (PTB) and placental-mediated complications, including fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia (PE). This study aimed to estimate the impact of COVID-19 and vaccination on adverse pregnancy outcomes and markers of placental function.

Methods: We performed a study on a prospective cohort of women recruited in the first trimester of pregnancy during the early COVID-19 pandemic period (December 2020 to December 2021).

Canadian SARS-CoV-2 serological survey using antenatal serum samples: a retrospective seroprevalence study.

Background: Insufficient data on the rate and distribution of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Canada has presented a substantial challenge to the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objective was to assess SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in a representative sample of pregnant people throughout Canada, across multiple time points over 2 years of the pandemic, to describe the seroprevalence and show the ability of this process to provide prevalence estimates.

Methods: This Canadian retrospective serological surveillance study used existing serological prenatal samples across 10 provinces over multiple time periods: Feb.

User Experience of a Computer-Based Decision Aid for Prenatal Trisomy Screening: Mixed Methods Explanatory Study.

Background: Mobile health tools can support shared decision-making. We developed a computer-based decision aid (DA) to help pregnant women and their partners make informed, value-congruent decisions regarding prenatal screening for trisomy.

Objective: This study aims to assess the usability and usefulness of computer-based DA among pregnant women, clinicians, and policy makers.

Proteomic Analysis of Maternal Urine for the Early Detection of Preeclampsia and Fetal Growth Restriction.

Background: To explore the use of maternal urine proteome for the identification of preeclampsia biomarkers.

Methods: Maternal urine samples from women with and without preeclampsia were used for protein discovery followed by a validation study. The targeted proteins of interest were then measured in urine samples collected at 20-24 and 30-34 weeks among nine women who developed preeclampsia, one woman with fetal growth restriction, and 20 women with uncomplicated pregnancies from a longitudinal study.

Frequency, timing and risk factors for primary maternal cytomegalovirus infection during pregnancy in Quebec.

Introduction: Maternal Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in the first trimester (T1) of pregnancy is a public health concern, as it increases the risk of severe neurodevelopmental outcomes associated with congenital infection compared to infections occurring later during pregnancy.

Objectives: To determine CMV seroprevalence in T1 of pregnancy, its trend, risk factors and the incidence rate of primary infection during pregnancy.

Methods: Using the biobank of the prospective cohort "Grossesse en Santé de Québec" collected between April 2005 and March 2010 at the Québec-Laval Hospital, Québec, Canada, maternal CMV serology was determined using Abbott Architect Chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassays for immunoglobulin G(IgG), immunoglobulin M(IgM) titration and IgG avidity testing.

Impact of maternal prenatal psychological stress on birth weight.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of prenatal maternal stress on birth weight using a large cohort of predominantly White women living in an urban area.

Method: Women were recruited between 2005 and 2010. Data collection took place between the 24th and the 28th week of gestation.

Specific inflammatory profile in each pregnancy complication: A comparative study.

Problem: Pre-eclampsia (PE), preterm birth (PTB) and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) affect 5%-12% of pregnancies. They have been associated with placental inflammation, although the detection of inflammatory mediators in the maternal circulation is still controversial. Our goal was to determine the inflammatory changes occurring in the second part of pregnancy to identify profiles distinguishing pathological pregnancies from each other.

Association of Maternal Weight and Gestational Weight Gain with Maternal and Neonate Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study.

We investigated the association of outcomes with pre-pregnancy body mass index (ppBMI), Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations about gestational weight gain, and weight gain trajectories during pregnancy. A prospective cohort of 7866 pregnant women was recruited. ppBMI and weight gain at each follow up visit were collected.

Risk Factors and Outcomes of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes in a Cohort of 6968 Pregnant Women Prospectively Recruited.

We revisited risk factors and outcomes related to the preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). A total of 7866 pregnant women were recruited during 5 years at their first prenatal visit to the perinatal clinic of the institution. We compared three groups (women without prematurity, women with spontaneous preterm labor with intact membranes (sPL with IM), women with PPROM) regarding 60 criteria about characteristics, lifestyle, medical, gynecological, obstetrical history of mothers, medication during pregnancy, events at delivery, and complications in neonates.

Cord blood S100B: reference ranges and interest for early identification of newborns with brain injury.

Background Neurological complications are common in the premature and full-term neonates admitted to the intensive care unit, but the diagnosis of these complications is often difficult to make. S100B protein, measured in cord blood, may represent a valuable tool to better identify patients at risk of brain injury. Methods As a first step, we established S100B cord blood serum reference intervals from 183 preterm and 200 full-term neonates.

Use of antidepressants and anxiolytics in early pregnancy and the risk of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension: a prospective study.

Background: We investigated the association between antidepressant and anxiolytic exposure during the first and early second trimester of pregnancy (< 16 weeks), and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (including preeclampsia and gestational hypertension) in women with singleton pregnancy.

Methods: This study is based on a large prospective cohort of 7866 pregnant women. We included pregnant women aged 18 years or older without chronic hepatic or renal disease at the time of recruitment.

Risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in relation to plasma concentrations of amino acids and acylcarnitines: A nested case-control study.

Aims: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects between 5 and 10% of all pregnancies in Canada and can lead to adverse health outcomes in both the mother and fetus. Amino acids (AA) and acylcarnitines (AC) have been identified as early biomarkers of type 2 diabetes but their usefulness in screening for GDM has yet to be demonstrated.

Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study involving 50 controls and 50 GDM cases diagnosed between the 24th and 28th week of gestation.