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Pregnancy and child health

Improving pregnancy and child health

Our pregnancy and child health researchers are experts in epidemiology, clinical medicine, public health, clinical psychology and risk prediction modeling. We rely on strong relationships with pediatric and OB/GYN health care clinicians interested in research. These relationships enhance the work we do and help bring research to patients. Many of our studies are focused on vaccine safety and medication use during pregnancy and lactation, pregnancy and postpartum health, child and adolescent health, and reducing health disparities. We also work with community partners to conduct research in pregnancy and child health and to implement solutions.

Investigators

Learn more about our vaccine research and our Pregnancy and Child Health Research Center.

Key projects

Assessing factors associated with medication adherence during pregnancy

We will examine prescription orders and fills of antihypertensive medications during pregnancy, up to six weeks postpartum, among women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). We plan to investigate whether sociodemographic, clinical and prenatal factors are associated with filling these prescriptions during pregnancy. Findings generated may improve our understanding about medication adherence during pregnancy for women with HDP. This knowledge may help improve care of patients with HDP during pregnancy.

Center of Excellence in Newcomer Health

With the Minnesota Department of Health Refugee and International Health Program and other partners, we work to identify and monitor newcomer health issues and needs, contribute to evidence-based policies and guidance, and improve continuity of care and health outcomes for newcomer populations (i.e., refugee, immigrant and migrant populations). Some examples include evaluating uptake of COVID-19 vaccines for patients with limited English proficiency, and assessment of screening practices for elevated blood levels in pregnant and breastfeeding populations who are recent immigrants from countries with high lead contamination. We work with clinicians, state refugee health coordinators, and other stakeholders, to promote communication among newcomer health professionals and disseminate best practices.

COVID-19 Vaccination and Lactation-Related Outcomes (CALM)

Funded by the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, this study will assess the effect of COVID-19 vaccination administered during pregnancy and after delivery on lactation and select infant outcomes. The results will help patients and their clinicians make informed decisions about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. We are also studying whether COVID-19 vaccine uptake during pregnancy and lactation differs by race and ethnicity, language preference, and English language proficiency. The results will provide key information on COVID-19 vaccine disparities and can inform future interventions to address vaccine equity during pregnancy and lactation.

Managing Our Mood (MOM)

Funded by the National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, this study will identify factors that predict whether pregnant patients with new episodes of depression initiate psychotherapy or antidepressant use. It will also assess the effects of these treatments on their infants (including preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age birth) and breastfeeding, while accounting for depression severity. Increasing our understanding of the ways in which pregnant patients cope with depression has the potential to improve decision-making for optimal depression management during pregnancy.

RSVpreF Vaccine Intent in Pregnant Persons (PERCEIVE)

We conducted a survey of pregnant people receiving prenatal care at HealthPartners to understand their beliefs and attitudes about the new prenatal RSV vaccine, and to understand whether they planned to receive the RSV vaccine and other vaccines during pregnancy. We will link patient demographics, their pregnancy information, and medical history from their health records to their survey responses and evaluate vaccine uptake based on initial intent recorded in the survey. The study was generously supported by HealthPartners employees’ donations through the HealthPartners One Campaign.

Whole-child growth from birth

Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES), Northside Achievement Zone (NAZ), University of Minnesota, and HealthPartners are co-creating a program of research to study whole-child growth. The research agenda we design will help children grow up to be valued and respected, have mind and body wellness, be connected to one another, be knowledgeable and prepared, and have safety and stability. We believe eating, activity and early experiences support young people as they grow in a thriving, healthy community. This work is rooted by supportive parents and families who have access to trustworthy care and systems, and is grounded in culture and justice. This project is funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute.

Improve blood pressure recognition and management in children and adolescents

With funding from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute we developed a novel clinical decision support tool to improve recognition and early management of elevated blood pressure and hypertension in children and adolescents. In a follow-up study, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, we have adapted and implemented this decision support tool for use in a new, primarily rural health system. Together, these studies will support early identification of hypertension, a leading risk factor for future cardiovascular disease.

 Key publications

Learn more about our Pregnancy and Child Health investigators and their publications by visiting Knowledge Exchange.