Maternal and Developmental Risks from Environmental and Social Stressors (MADRES) Center for Environmental Health Disparities

MADRES is a prospective pregnancy cohort based in urban Los Angeles, recruiting predominantly low income Hispanic mothers-to-be as part of a children's health study, funded by Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO). Participants were measured for a number of chemical exposures and biomarkers. Two epigenetic markers will be available through dbGaP: miRNA expression in pregnancy (measured via Nanostring human assay, v3) and DNA methylation from pregnancy and children's cord blood (measured via EPIC array). Principal findings of this research described differences in miRNA expression profiles between early and late pregnancy, as well as miRNA expression affected by psychosocial stress. ]]>
Inclusion CriteriaPregnant participants were recruited from local health clinics and were eligible to participate if They were less than 30 weeks gestation Over 18 years of age, and Able to speak either English or Spanish.Exclusion criteriaHIV-positive statusAny physical, mental, or cognitive disability preventing participationCurrent incarceration, and Twin or any multiple pregnancy.]]>
MADRES began as a prospective pregnancy cohort in 2015, recruiting expectant participants from health clinics in urban Los Angeles. In 2016, MADRES joined the NIH-funded Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) to support research efforts on children's health. MADRES now follows mothers and children from pregnancy through middle childhood, with an emphasis on prenatal and postnatal health, obesity, cardiovascular health, and respiratory health, as well as effects of environmental exposures. ]]>