1. Study on the impact of prenatal screening

Key findings in prevention: Pre-eclampsia and delayed fetal growth

The study led by professor and doctor Emmanuel Bujold represents a significant advancement in the domain of maternal health. Its objective is to evaluate the clinical impacts of a policy implementing systematic screenings for pre-eclampsia during the first trimester, combined with preterm labour screenings during the second trimester. Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during the end of pregnancy) and delayed fetal growth (underweight babies) constitute serious complications that can lead to hospitalization and long-term impacts on both mother and newborn. While various screening methods for pregnant patients exist in Quebec, they are not yet systematically applied. 

Recent advances in the field make it possible to predict pre-eclampsia as early as the first trimester by combining data from the mother (age, weight, blood pressure), the placenta and blood samples. Further, recent studies show that taking a low dose of aspirin can be effective in reducing the risk of pre-eclampsia among women considered to be at high risk. 

However, current screening methods for delayed fetal growth, which primarily use two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound, lack precision. Integrating 3D ultrasound techniques and analyzing specific blood markers can improve early detection of fetal growth anomalies, allowing for patients to receive personalized care earlier. The results of this study could not only demonstrate the feasibility of a national approach to these screenings, but also guide future screenings and risk management practices to improve maternal and infant health around the world. Through the combination of innovative screening strategies and a rigorous analysis of factors that influence pregnancy, this study seeks to reduce major complications to improve pregnancy outcomes for both mother and unborn child.