Our studies focus on the mechanisms underlying the developmental origins of pathologies appearing in adulthood, including hypertension. More specifically, we plan to uncover how an oxidative stress suffered during the perinatal period can alter the functional and structural development of the cardiovascular system.
Animal Research
Antenatal and neonatal factors may influence the onset of adulthood hypertension. In order to study this process, we use animal models (rats). In one of our models, the female gestating rat's diet is altered, causing a slight growth delay in the offspring, a vascular dysfunction and hypertension in adulthood. In another model, newborn rats are exposed to a high oxygen concentration within the first days of life, which also leads to vascular dysfunction and hypertension in adulthood. Lab studies investigate the mechanisms of this developmental hypertension programming, specifically targeting renal development, structure and vascular function.
Clinical Research
A mother-child cohort is studied to determine the correlation between ante- and perinatal factors, oxidative stress concentrations during pregnancy and the incidence of vascular dysfunction during childhood.
Current research project
Developmental origins of health and diseases (DOHaD) : long term cardiovascular consequences of preterm birth
New review helps fill gap for doctors to treat patients
For World Prematurity Day, November 17, 2015
New risk factor for pregnancies
The CHU Sainte-Justine at the helm of the 2nd Canadian National Perinatal Research Meeting (CNPRM)
New funding for clinical respiratory research announced by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research
Low-weight at birth is an additional but independent risk factor