Emerging evidence suggests the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet before and during pregnancy is linked with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; but the underlying physiology of this association remains unclear. We hypothesize that the dietary intake and overall nutritional status may impact placenta vascular structure and hemodynamics; but currently available methods to assess the placenta in vivo are limited. Given the integral role of placental structure and function in the course and outcome of pregnancy, and the increasing prevalence of severe maternal morbidities and mortality during pregnancy, it is critically important to determine if we can non-invasively identify aberrations with placentation and placenta function, and further, determine how potentially modifiable factors such as diet may interact with placenta function and pregnancy outcomes.
We aim to determine whether magnetic resonance imaging in the early second trimester can identify problems with placenta function that continue throughout pregnancy, and further whether placenta problems are linked to nutritional status, dietary intake, adiposity and pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia or gestational hypertension.
Image processing skills
This project can begin as soon as desired. The project is ongoing and can evolve to accommodate the research volunteer's needs and skills.
Data organization and QA of placenta MRI's.
Develop image processing algorithms for evaluation of the placenta.
