What we do
About our project
Background information
Pregnancy requires an adaptive response of the maternal cardiovascular system to meet the demands of the rapidly growing placenta and fetus. A healthy pregnancy outcome largely depends on adequate placental vascularization early in gestation. A complicated pregnancy (such as preeclampsia and/or intrauterine fetal growth restriction) is often associated with abnormal placentation. Women with a complicated pregnancy have an increased risk for future cardiovascular disease. We hypothesize that existent impaired maternal cardiovascular health leads to hemodynamic maladaptation to pregnancy, diminished uteroplacental vascular development and subsequent pregnancy complications.
Overall aim
The overall aim of the HAPPO study is to examine associations between maternal hemodynamic adaptation to pregnancy and (utero)placental vascular development in women with and without (a history of) pregnancy complications.
Research method
In this prospective cohort study, we will include 200 women with a history of placenta-related pregnancy complications (high-risk group) and 100 women with an uncomplicated obstetric history (low-risk group). At five moments (preconception, first-, second- and third trimester, and post-delivery), their macro- and microcirculatory systems and uteroplacental vascular development will be examined extensively. The main outcome measures are differences in maternal hemodynamic adaptation to pregnancy between women with or without placenta-related pregnancy complications.
Desirable outcome
The results of the HAPPO study will provide more understanding of longitudinal maternal hemodynamic adaptation to pregnancy in relation to utero(placental) vascular development and its associations with subsequent pregnancy outcome.
Funds & Grants
- Erasmus MC Fellowship Grant (2017) for dr. M.P.H. (Wendy) Koster
- Peter Joseph Pappas Research Grant from the Preeclampsia Foundation (2019) for dr. M.P.H. (Wendy) Koster
Collaborations
Collaboration within Erasmus MC
- Department of Cardiology
- Department of Intensive Care Adults
- Department of Biostatistics
- Department of Pathology
Publications
Study protocol for a prospective cohort study to investigate Hemodynamic Adaptation to Pregnancy and Placenta-related Outcome: the HAPPO study.Bijl RC, Cornette JMJ, van den Bosch AE, Duvekot JJ, Molinger J, Willemsen SP, Koning AHJ, Roos-Hesselink JW, Franx A, Steegers-Theunissen RPM, Koster MPH. (2019). BMJ Open. 2019 Nov 10;9(11):e033083.
Our team
- PhD-student:
R.C. (Rianne) Bijl, MD - Principal investigator:
M.P.H. (Wendy) Koster, MD, PhD, epidemiologist - Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
