Professor
Ellen Aagaard Nøhr
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Odense University Hospital,
| Project management | ||
| Project status | Open | |
| Data collection dates | ||
| Start | 01.04.2022 | |
| End | 01.01.2026 | |
Does early screening for risk factors improve pregnancy- and birth outcomes?
Short summary
Early detection of risk factors in pregnancy is a priority with the Danish National Board of Health. Since 2017, pregnant women at Odense and Svendborg hospitals have filled an electronic questionnaire prior to their first antenatal visit with a midwife. The aim of this cohort study is to investigate whether the electronic questionnaire improves early detection, support and treatment of women with risk factors.
Rationale
As the mean age at childbearing increases, more pregnant women have chronic illnesses. Both higher age and chronic illness can increase the risk of complications in pregnancy and labour. In recent years, there has furthermore been an increase in mental health problems and vulnerability among young women, which also affects the pregnant population. Pregnancy and birth outcomes are poorly investigated in this group of women. Because the mentioned risk factors may have a negative impact on the pregnancy, early detection of risk factors is a priority with the Danish National Board of Health. Since 2017, pregnant women at Odense and Svendborg hospitals (OUH) have filled an electronic questionnaire prior to their first antenatal visit with a midwife. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the electronic questionnaire improves early detection, support and treatment of women with risk factors. Therefore, we will: 1) describe the prevalence of chronic illnesses, mental health problems, and demographic, obstetric and lifestyle related risk factors among pregnant women in Funen; 2) describe how often these women are offered early pregnancy visits with a midwife; 3) describe the frequency of clinical contacts (planned and emergency outpatient visits and inpatient stays) during pregnancy and the postpartum period among women with the mentioned risk factors; 4) Investigate the association between the mentioned risk factors and pregnancy complications, low birth weight, preterm birth, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Description of the cohort
The cohort consists of pregnant women referred to birth at OUH between November 21st 2017 and December 31st 2020 (approximately 15.000 women).
Data and biological material
The study uses data from the electronic questionnaires and from medical records.