APrON study seeks help from pregnant women

Canada's largest pre-natal nutrition study needs 10,000 participants

The Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition team (APrON) is seeking 10,000 expectant mothers in Calgary and Edmonton to take part in a study that's a first in Canada. Bonnie Kaplan, PhD, is leading the Alberta‐wide team in a five‐year study funded by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR).

"Nutrition is fundamental to the health of moms and their babies – but there is surprisingly little research into nutrition, brain development and mental health," says Kaplan, a professor of paediatrics and community health sciences at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine. "Our dream is that this research will reveal ways to help us prevent post‐partum depression as well as developmental disorders such as ADHD."

The $5 million study is investigating what pregnant 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.

"There's not much information out there about what pregnant women should be doing, foodwise," says Calgarian Stacey McCormick, APrON's first participant. McCormick found that during both her pregnancies, she struggled with the balance between tackling nausea and eating properly to stay healthy. McCormick's daughter Avery is 15 months old, and her second baby is due at the end of November. "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," McCormick says.

Participants will provide information on what they eat, their activities and exercise, as well as their mental health. APrON researchers will also do a DNA profile on moms, dads and babies to assess genetic factors at play in the babies' development. The researchers will also take blood samples to measure the nutrients in the mothers' and babies' blood to pinpoint the omega‐3 fatty acids.

"We expect this study to transform our understanding of the balance between genetics, nutrition and health," says AHFMR co‐leader Catherine Field, RD, PhD, a professor in the Alberta Diabetes Institute at the University of Alberta Faculty of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences. "I am hopeful that we will make nutritional discoveries as important to women and infant health as the role of folic acid in reducing the risk of spina bifida."

"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, a founding member of the Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute for Child and Maternal Health. "Imagine if we could get ahead of post‐partum depression, and prevent it."

For more information about APrON go to: www.apronstudy.ca
In Calgary, call 403.955.7365 or email
In Edmonton, call 780.492.4667 or email

Reporters, please contact Karen Thomas, AHFMR Media Specialist, 1.877.423.5727 x225, 403.651.1112 (cell),

Video Download Links

Apron Study Video

Apron Study B-roll

Background

AHFMR funds 10 collaborative teams composed of researchers and health professionals from institutions across the province to tackle research questions and healthcare challenges in areas of priority for Alberta. Each team receives $1 million a year for five years. Alberta Health and Wellness has contributed $17 million towards the AHFMR Interdisciplinary Team Grant program.

APrON Team
‐ Bonnie Kaplan, PhD, AHFMR team leader, researcher in mental/behavioural illness
‐ Catherine Field, RD, PhD, AHFMR co‐leader, nutrition researcher, University of Alberta
‐ Deborah Dewey, PhD, AHFMR co‐leader, paediatric neuropsychology, U of C

University of Alberta: Rhonda Bell, PhD, Anna Farmer, RD, PhD, Laki Goonewardene, PhD, Dr. Donna Manca, Linda McCargar, RD, PhD
University of Calgary: Dr. Francois Bernier, Marja Cantell, PhD, Michael Eliasziw, PhD, Dr. Lisa Gagnon, Libbe Kooistra, PhD, Dr. Maeve O'Beirne, Dr. Nalini Singhal
University of Tilburg (The Netherlands): Dr. Victor Pop, PhD

APrON will measure:
Moms' and babies' blood for nutrients: iron, omega‐3 fatty acids, B vitamins, folic acid
Moms' thyroid (vital for child development)
Moms', dads' and babies' DNA
Child development (at 3 years old)

Participants will spend about 35 hours over a four‐year period to take part in this study.

How will the results of APrON be used?

A research team headquartered at the Alberta Children's Hospital is reaching out to expectant moms and their families. Funded by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR), the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) study investigates the role of nutrition in the mental and developmental health of women and their babies. The APrON team is seeking the participation of 5,000 expectant mothers in Calgary and another 5,000 in Edmonton.

Reporters are invited to a media availability on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 10 a.m. at the Behavioural Research Unit, B4-501 (4th floor), Alberta Children's Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW. This media event features AHFMR team leader Bonnie Kaplan, PhD, a professor at the University of Calgary Faculty of Medicine, and Calgarian Stacey McCormick, a study participant whose baby is due in November.

News crews, please park in the Visitor Parkade on the east side of Alberta Children's Hospital for reimbursement.

For more information please contact Karen Thomas, AHFMR Media Specialist, 1.877.423.5727 x225, 403.651.1112 (cell),