Clinical Research Directory

Longitudinal Randomized Controlled Study on the Effectiveness of Nutritional Education During Uncomplicated Pregnancy

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a structured nutritional education intervention can improve gestational weight gain outcomes and related maternal and neonatal health indicators in women with uncomplicated pregnancy. The main question it aims to answer is whether a group-based nutritional education program increases the proportion of women achieving gestational weight gain within Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommended ranges compared with standard prenatal care. Researchers will compare a structured nutritional education intervention group to a control group receiving routine prenatal care and a nutritional information brochure to see if the intervention improves gestational weight gain within recommended ranges and affects maternal and neonatal outcomes. Participants in the intervention group will: * Attend three weekly group-based nutritional education sessions delivered by trained healthcare professionals * Attend one practical cooking (show-cooking) session Participants in the control group will: * Receive routine prenatal care and a written nutritional information brochure * Be followed from early pregnancy until 8 weeks postpartum All participants (including control group) will: * Record body weight regularly throughout pregnancy using a telemedicine system * Complete questionnaires on dietary intake and quality of life at multiple time points * Undergo assessments of body composition and urinary biomarkers of oxidative stress during pregnancy

The Impact of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on Cerebral Blood Flow and Cerebrovascular Function After Pregnancy

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) currently affects approximately 14% of all pregnancies worldwide. Importantly, the health-related consequences of GDM extend well beyond pregnancy, such that women with a history of GDM have a 40% increased risk of cerebrovascular diseases and a 67% increased risk of dementia, compared to women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancy. Women with a history of GDM have impaired skin microvascular function, compared with women with a history of uncomplicated pregnancy. Therefore, it's likely that GDM results in impaired brain blood vessel function, yet there is little-to-no information regarding the effects of GDM on brain blood vessel health and function after pregnancy. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of GDM on brain blood flow and brain blood vessel function in healthy women with either a history of GDM or uncomplicated pregnancy. In this study, the investigators will use two different types of ultrasound to non-invasively measure brain blood flow. Brain blood vessel function will be evaluated by examining the brain blood flow responses to increases in carbon dioxide (the increases in carbon dioxide are similar to what is experienced during a breath hold). Additionally, the investigators will compare the brain blood flow results to skin microvascular function to explore potential mechanisms behind possible impairments in brain blood vessel function. Skin microvascular function will be assessed using a minimally invasive technique (intradermal microdialysis for the local delivery of pharmaceutical agents) on dime sized areas of the forearm. Finally, for screening purposes and to further explore potential mechanisms behind any potential impairments in brain blood vessel function, the investigators will perform blood draws to determine the metabolic health of the participants and to analyze for substances that influence blood vessel function.