PSO News

A new study published in JAMA shows that pregnant people with COVID-19 are at greater risk of being hospitalized, being admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) and experiencing an early birth.  

Since 2022, Prenatal Screening Ontario has been responsible for overseeing the operations of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) for common chromosome differences.

New Screening Opportunity for RhD Negative and Alloimmunized Pregnant Individuals

March 12 marks World Alloimmunization and Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN) Awareness Day, a global initiative to increase awareness and advocate for patients impacted by, and providers managing, Alloimmunization and HDFN.

Check out this video to explore the Recommendations for the Safe Administration of Oxytocin from the Provincial Council of Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH), key indicators from BORN that monitor oxytocin use and clinical outcomes, and real-world insights from clinicians who have successfully implemented these guidelines to improve policies and protocols.

The Risks of Preeclampsia in Pregnancy

• Preeclampsia is a common and dangerous complication of pregnancy that causes high blood pressure and excess protein in urine¹ . Preeclampsia can result in  premature birth, fluid in the lungs, bleeding problems, liver or kidney damage, seizures, stroke and even death².
• The life expectancy of people who develop preterm preeclampsia is reduced by an average of 10 years³.
• Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality⁴

The Government of Canada is investing in research to transform health systems. 12 early career researchers received the first Health System Impact Embedded Early Career Researcher Awards with the support of $9.6 million in funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and partners.

BORN data fuels continuous iteration and improvement within learning health systems. Check out the research below that uses BORN data to explore issues surrounding cesarean birth. 

Results from a recent study using BORN data showed that maternal obesity was associated with an increased risk of stillbirth, particularly at term. 

What is Congenital Heart Disease?

Congenital heart disease (CHD) represents the most prevalent form of congenital anomaly in the world, implicated in over 180,000 infant deaths annually, and stands as a significant contributor to lifelong disabilities. In Canada, the prevalence of CHD is 12.3 per 1,000 births, translating to approximately 4,400 newborns affected each year out of an annual birth tally of 358,000. The repercussions of CHD stretch far beyond the affected individuals, touching their families and exerting substantial pressure on the healthcare system.