Ferland Suzanne, Bujold Emmanuel, Giguère Yves, Girard Mario, Demers Suzanne, Forest Jean-Claude
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec QC; Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Quebec QC.
Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Quebec QC; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université Laval, Quebec QC.
J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2013 Sep;35(9):787-792. doi: 10.1016/S1701-2163(15)30834-3.
It has been suggested that physical activity (PA) can influence the development of the placenta and the risk of placenta-mediated complications of pregnancy. We evaluated the association between PA and early markers of placental development.
Ninety-four nulliparous women were invited to participate in a prospective observational cohort study. Assessment included measurement of placental growth factor (PlGF) and pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) concentrations (expressed in multiples of the median), an ultrasound at 11 to 13 weeks for measurement of placental volume and the mean uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index, and a questionnaire on PA. The association between PA and these markers was evaluated using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.
We found a significantly lower concentration of PlGF and a trend towards lower placenta volume and lower PAPP-A concentration with increased PA frequency. The negative association between PA frequency and PlGF concentration remained significant after adjustment for potential confounding factors.
Our results suggest that PA in early pregnancy could negatively affect placental development. This finding could explain the association between PA and severe preeclampsia. This finding deserves confirmation in a larger cohort.
