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PEPPI Study: Identification of Women at Risk for Placental Dysfunction

PEPPI Study: Identification of Women at Risk for Placental Dysfunction During the First and Third Trimesters of Pregnancy

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06115122
Enrollment
3000
Registered
2023-11-02
Start date
2022-02-15
Completion date
2041-12-31
Last updated
2025-08-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cardiovascular Diseases, Hypertensive Disorder of Pregnancy, Intrauterine Growth Restriction, Iron-deficiency, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Pre-Eclampsia, Proteinuria in Pregnancy

Brief summary

The main purpose of this study is to evaluate Fetal Medicine Foundation's pre-eclampsia risk calculator using maternal characteristics, first trimester serum placental growth factor (PlGF) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in a Finnish general population. Condition or disease: pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, polycystic ovary syndrome

Detailed description

According to power calculations, altogether 3000 pregnant women will be recruited into PEPPI-study in Oulu area. Women will be recruited during their first visit to maternity care. Women will have blood samples for study purposes at first and third trimester of pregnancy. Participants will be divided into risk-, control- and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) groups according to pre-eclampsia risk calculation program and questionnaire (PCOS: Rotterdam criteria) (N=300/group). Half of the women in risk- and control groups and all women in PCOS group will have a pregnancy ultrasound scan at 30-32 weeks of gestation. Fathers and children will be recruited at the Oulu University Hospital when the child is born. Studies within PEPPI-study: PEPPI-offspring: Children born for those 600 women in risk-, control and PCOS groups who have an extra ultrasound at gestational weeks 30-32 during PEPPI-study and children whose mother developed pre-eclampsia during the pregnancy regardless of her study group during PEPPI-study are recruited into PEPPI-offspring study. PEPPI-offspring study investigates the short- and long-term consequences of placental insufficiency/pre-eclampsia on the health of the children. PEPPI-PCOS: Investigates pregnancy characteristics of women with PCOS. Women with PCOS form PCOS study group, have additional ultrasound scan at gestational weeks 30-32 and their children are recruited into PEPPI-offspring study. FERPPI: FERPPI study investigates the possible connection between placental insufficiency and iron deficiency with or without anemia in both pregnant women and their children after birth.

Interventions

Pregnant women will be devided into risk-, control- and PCOS groups according to first trimester screening program.

Sponsors

PerkinElmer, Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Roche Diagnostics GmbH
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Academy of Finland
CollaboratorOTHER
Sigrid Jusélius Foundation
CollaboratorOTHER
Finnish Medical Foundation
CollaboratorNETWORK
University of Oulu
CollaboratorOTHER
Oulu University Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

Mothers Inclusion Criteria for PEPPI-study * Pregnant (first trimester) * Understands Finnish * ≥18 years * Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

* Multiple pregnancy * Miscarriage/termination of the index pregnancy * No first trimester blood sampling Inclusion Criteria for FERPPI-study * Participates in PEPPI-study (criteria above) * Blood samples at first and third trimester of pregnancy * Permits blood sampling from the umbilical cord when the baby is born

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Severe iron deficiency during third trimester of pregnancyAt 30-32 weeks of gestationIron deficiency defined as serum ferritin \< 15 µg/l at gestational weeks 30-32 with or without anemia defined as Hb ≤ 110 g/l.
Severe or Mild Pregnancy-associated Hypertension With an Indicated Preterm Birth Before 32-34-37 Weeks of Gestation Owing to Hypertension-related Disorders20 weeks through discharge following deliveryWomen who meet more than one component of the primary outcome are counted for each component. Therefore, the number of women for all individual components combined is greater than the number of women with the primary outcome.
HepcidinAt 0, 3 and 6-12 months of age
Saturation of transferrinAt 0, 3 and 6-12 months of age
Hypersensitive-C-reactive proteinAt 0, 3 and 6-12 months of age
Severe or Mild Pregnancy-associated Hypertension With a Fetus That Was Small for Gestational Age (Below the - 2 SD) Adjusted for Sex and Race or Ethnic Group20 weeks through discharge following deliveryWomen who meet more than one component of the primary outcome are counted for each component. Therefore, the number of women for all individual components combined is greater than the number of women with the primary outcome.
Severe or Mild Pregnancy-associated Hypertension With a Fetal Death After 20 Weeks of Gestation or Neonatal Death20 weeks through discharge or prior to discharge following delivery admissionWomen who meet more than one component of the primary outcome are counted for each component. Therefore, the number of women for all individual components combined is greater than the number of women with the primary outcome.
Prevalence of high pre-eclampsia risk score in women with PCOS compared to non-PCOS womenat 13 gestational weeksPre-eclampsia risk score is calculated with LifeCycle risk calculation program and a risk of 1:100 or higher is considered as high risk for pre-eclampsia.
11. All the above mentioned outcomes (1-10) in PCOS group compared to non-PCOS group.13 gestational weeks through discharge following deliveryAs described above.
The height of the child during the first year of life.At 0, 3 and 6-12 months of ageMeasurement of height (cm)
The weight of the child during the first year of life.At 0, 3 and 6-12 months of ageMeasurement of weight (g, kg)
The body mass index (BMI) of the child during the first year of life.At 0, 3 and 6-12 months of ageMeasurements of height (cm) and weight (kg) combined as BMI (kg/m2)
Anti-mullerian hormoneAt 3 and 6-12 months of age
CortisolAt 3 and 6-12 months of age
CorticotropinAt 3 and 6-12 months of age
DehydroepiandrosteroneAt 3 and 6-12 months of age
ProgesteroneAt 3 and 6-12 months of age
Inhibin-BAt 3 and 6-12 months of age
Luteinizing hormoneAt 3 and 6-12 months of age
Follicle stimulating hormoneAt 3 and 6-12 months of age
Testosterone (boys)At 3 and 6-12 months of age
Estradioli (girls)At 3 and 6-12 months of age
Vitamin DAt 3 and 6-12 months of age
CalciumAt 3 and 6-12 months of age
PhosphateAt 3 and 6-12 months of age
Alkaline phosphataseAt 3 and 6-12 months of age
Parathyroid hormoneAt 3 and 6-12 months of age
Clinical examination of genitalsAt 0, 3 and 6-12 months of ageMeasurement of perineum with centimeters (cm)
Clinical examination of mammary glandsAt 3 and 6-12 months of ageMeasurement with millimeters (mm)
Sebum measurementAt 3 and 6-12 months of ageMeasurement is done with Sebumeter ®. The cassette is placed on the skin for a defined length of time and then returned to the aperture. The change in the amount of light transmission represents the sebum content of the tape, which is displayed in units from 0-350.
Heart auscultation with stethoscope.At 3 and 6-12 months of age
Ultrasound scan of the heart (echo)At 3 and 6-12 months of age
Birth WeightAt birthGrams
Small for Gestational AgeAt birthA baby whose birth weight is less than the - 2 standard deviations is considered to be small for gestational age (adjusted for sex and race or ethnic group)
Large for gestational ageAt birthA baby whose birth weight is more than the + 2 standard deviations is considered to be small for gestational age (adjusted for sex and race or ethnic group)
Admission to NICUDelivery through discharge up to 18 weeksNICU denotes neonatal intensive care unit.
Apgar Score ≤3 at 5 MinutesAt birth
Fetal iron deficiencyAt birthFetal iron deficiency defined by reticulocyte hemoglobin \< 29 pg from umbilical cord blood collected at birth
Iron deficiency during third trimester of pregnancyAt 30-32 weeks of gestationIron deficiency defined as serum ferritin \< 30 µg/l at gestational weeks 30-32 with or without anemia defined as Hb ≤ 110 g/l.
Composite of Pregnancy-associated Hypertension and Serious Adverse Outcomes in the Mother or Fetus or Neonate20 weeks through discharge following deliverySevere hypertension (blood pressure \[BP\]≥ 160/110) or mild hypertension (BP≥140/90) ≥ 20 weeks gestation in conjunction with one of the following: elevated liver enzymes, thrombocytopenia, elevated serum creatinine levels, eclamptic seizure, an indicated preterm birth before 32 weeks of gestation owing to hypertension-related disorders, a fetus that was small for gestational age (SGA, below 3rd percentile) adjusted for sex and race or ethnic group, fetal death after 20 weeks of gestation, or neonatal death
Severe Hypertension20 weeks through discharge following deliveryWomen who had severe hypertension only and those who had severe hypertension with elevated liver enzyme levels, thrombocytopenia, elevated serum creatinine levels, eclamptic seizure, medically indicated preterm birth, fetal-growth restriction, or fetal death after 20 weeks of gestation, or neonatal death.
Severe or Mild Pregnancy-associated Hypertension With Elevated Liver Enzyme Levels20 weeks through discharge following deliveryElevated liver enzyme levels are specified as an aspartate aminotransferase level of ≥ 100 U/l. Women who met more than one component of the primary outcome are counted for each component. Therefore, the number of women for all individual components combined is greater than the number of women with the primary outcome.
Severe or Mild Pregnancy-associated Hypertension With Thrombocytopenia20 weeks through discharge following deliveryThrombocytopenia defined as a platelet count of \<100 × 109/l. Women who meet more than one component of the primary outcome are counted for each component. Therefore, the number of women for all individual components combined is greater than the number of women with the primary outcome.
Severe or Mild Pregnancy-associated Hypertension With an Elevated Serum Creatinine Level20 weeks through discharge following deliveryElevated serum creatinine defined as ≥90 µmol/l. Women who meet more than one component of the primary outcome are counted for each component. Therefore, the number of women for all individual components combined is greater than the number of women with the primary outcome.
Severe or Mild Pregnancy-associated Hypertension With an Eclamptic Seizure20 weeks through discharge following deliveryWomen who meet more than one component of the primary outcome are counted for each component. Therefore, the number of women for all individual components combined is greater than the number of women with the primary outcome.
Basic blood countAt 0, 3 and 6-12 months of ageB-Hb, B-Leuk, B-Hkr, B-Eryt, E-MCV, E-RDW, E-MCH, E-MCHC, B-Trom
FerritinAt 0, 3 and 6-12 months of age

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Postpartum Pulmonary Edema.Within 42 days after delivery
Hematocrit ≤24% With Transfusion.Within 42 days after delivery
Pre-eclampsia (Mild, Severe, HELLP Syndrome, Eclampsia).20 weeks through discharge following delivery.HELLP denotes hemolytic anemia, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count.
Superimposed Pre-eclampsia (Mild, Severe, HELLP Syndrome, Eclampsia).20 weeks through discharge following delivery.Women with Hypertension before pregnancy week 20. HELLP denotes hemolytic anemia, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count.
Pregnancy Associated Hypertension.20 weeks through discharge following delivery.Women with Hypertension after pregnancy week 20.
Medically Indicated Delivery Because of Hypertension.20 weeks through discharge following delivery.
Fetal Weight Estimation under 3rd percentile at gestational weeks 30-32 ultrasound scan.30-32 weeks.
Abnormal uterine artery pulsatility index at gestational weeks 30-32 ultrasound scanAt 30-32 weeks.According to calculator provided by Fetal Medicine Foundation (https://fetalmedicine.org/research/utpi).
Aspartate Aminotransferase ≥100 U/Liter.20 weeks through discharge.
Creatinine ≥90 µmol/l.20 weeks through discharge.
Massive postpartum hemorrhage.From delivery to 24 hours after child birthMassive postpartum hemorrhage defined≥ 1000ml blood loss within 24 hours after child birth.
Premature Rupture of Membranes.From 22nd gestational week until deliveryIf the water breaks before the 37th week of pregnancy, it is called preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).
Placental Abruption.From 22nd gestational week until deliveryDefined as the placenta separates from the inner wall of the uterus before birth.
Gestational Diabetes.From gestation until deliveryDefined as abnormal glucose tolerance test during pregnancy (≥ 5.3 mmol/l (0 h), ≥ 10.0 mmol/l (1 h) and/or ≥ 8.6 mmol/l (2 h). Treatment either with diet or medicine (metformin and/or insulin therapy).
Cesarean Delivery.At Birth.
Vacuum Extraction Delivery.At Birth.
Maternal Hospital Stay.Within 42 days after deliveryDuration of the time spend at the hospital after delivery (measured as days and weeks)
Gestational Age at Delivery.At Delivery.
Perineal Lacerations.At Birth.Defined as first, second, third or fourth degree lacerations during birth.
Number of Visits to Maternity Health Care During Pregnancy.From gestation until delivery, on average during 9 months
Number of Visits at Tertiary Maternity Care Hospital.From gestation until delivery, on average during 9 months
Fetal Death.From 22nd gestational week until delivery
Neonatal Death.Birth until 4 weeks' of age
Respiratory Distress Syndrome.Birth until 4 weeks' of age
Intraventricular Hemorrhage, Grade III or IV.Birth until 4 weeks' of age
Neonatal sepsis.Birth until 4 weeks' of age
Necrotizing Enterocolitis.Birth until 4 weeks' of age
Retinopathy of Prematurity.Birth until 4 weeks' of age
Neonatal Hospital Stay.Birth until 18 weeks' of age
Umbilical artery pulsatility indexAt 30-32 gestational weeksMeasured with Doppler ultrasound
Mean cerebral artery pulsatility indexAt 30-32 gestational weeksMeasured with Doppler ultrasound
Ductus venousus pulsatility indexAt 30-32 gestational weeksMeasured with Doppler ultrasound
Fetal weight estimationAt 30-32 gestational weeksMeasured with ultrasound using fetal BPD, HC, AC and FL measurements (Hadlock)
Amniotic fluid measurementAt 30-32 gestational weeksUltrasound measurements of maximum velocity pocket (cm) and amniotic fluid index (cm)
Estimation of fetal movement during ultrasound scanAt 30-32 gestational weeksEstimated as a whole with inspection of body movements, limb movements and breathing movement
Apgar Score ≤7 at 5 minutes.At birth.
Blood transfusion.From 22nd pregnancy week until four weeks after deliveryDefined as red blood cell transfusion received by patient (mother or child).
Maternal Death.During pregnancy or within 42 days after delivery

Countries

Finland

Contacts

Primary ContactJaana E Nevalainen, Assoc prof
jaana.nevalainen@oulu.fi+358405801857
Backup ContactTerhi Piltonen, Professor
terhi.piltonen@oulu.fi+358405008266

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026