Expectant moms needed

Alberta Health Services researchers are seeking expectant mothers in Calgary and Edmonton to participate in the largest study on pre-natal nutrition ever conducted in Canada.

The Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) team is investigating what women are eating before and after their babies are born, as well as the relationship between their nutrient status, their mental health, and their babies’ brain development and overall health.

“Our dream is that this research will reveal ways to help us prevent post-partum depression as well as developmental disorders such as ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder),” says team leader Bonnie Kaplan,  a researcher in the Behavioural Research Unit at Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute and professor of pediatrics and community health sciences at the University of Calgary, Faculty of Medicine.

The five-year study, involving 16 researchers, launched in September 2009 and requires the participation of 5,000 expectant mothers in Calgary and another 5,000 in Edmonton.

Participants will spend about 35 hours over a four-year period to take part in this study. They will provide information on what they eat, their activities and exercise, as well as their mental health.

Researchers will do a DNA profile on moms, dads and babies to assess genetic factors at play in the babies’ development, and will take blood samples from the mothers and babies to measure nutrients such as iron, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins and folic acid.

“Previous studies have shown that maternal depression leads to poor physical and emotional health in newborns – and, of course, it takes a significant toll on the mother’s own health,” says Kaplan.

“Imagine if we could get ahead of post-partum depression and prevent it.”

Albertans can learn more about becoming a participant at www.apronstudy.ca.

Calgarian Stacey McCormick wanted to help out and became the program’s first participant last fall. During her two pregnancies, she struggled with the balance between tackling nausea and eating properly to stay healthy.

“There’s not much information out there about what pregnant women should be doing, food-wise,” says McCormick. “I look forward to seeing the scientific evidence from this study. I would love to see a huge nutrition section in the maternity reference books.”

The $5-million study is funded by Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions.

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