How first-time expectant moms can help study a potentially deadly condition
Posted May 3, 2016 2:52 pm.
Last Updated May 3, 2016 3:05 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine is putting out a call to first-time, expectant moms.
Researchers are hoping to recruit a thousand soon-to-be-mothers for a study to predict the onset of hypertension during pregnancy.
The condition is called preeclampsia.
Dr. Jo-Ann Johnson, the A-H-S head of Maternal Fetal Medicine, says not only do they see it fairly often but the ramifications can be potentially deadly.
“It’s a pretty common disease, maybe five to eight per cent of women are at risk of developing preeclampsia, which is the sudden onset of hypertension after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It can be associated with complications in the pregnancy, in particular, prematurity of the baby,” says Johnson.
Preeclampsia can be fatal for mothers and their developing babies it if goes untreated.
There can also be consequences later in life for mothers, including other cardiovascular problems.
The research will be testing out a new prediction algorithm that’s been shown to determine risk but needs more research in order to get approval.
Participating in the study adds an extra 15-20 minutes to your regular visits and includes an extra ultrasound, a questionnaire, bloodwork and a blood pressure test.
To take part, send an email to predictioncalgary@gmail.com.
