News

BORNConnect is helping shape the future of pregnancy and newborn care in Ontario through the development of the Digital Ontario Perinatal Record Plus (DOPR+).

Hospitals across Ontario are reporting an increase in families declining the recommended intramuscular (IM) Vitamin K injection at birth. While this decision may be perceived as low risk, refusal increases the risk of Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB)—a rare but potentially serious and preventable condition in newborns.

At Minofest 2026, BORN Executive Director Alicia St. Hill delivered the keynote address, Data That Serves: A Shared Path to Equity Through SD/SDH Data and Responsible Governance. Drawing on BORN’s work to improve maternal and perinatal health outcomes, Alicia explored the critical role of data governance, accountability, and action in advancing health equity for racialized communities.

Prenatal screening can help identify risks like preterm preeclampsia early in pregnancy. Screening between 11 and 14 weeks, along with steps like low-dose aspirin when recommended, can help reduce risks and support safer outcomes for both parent and baby. Talk to your healthcare provider about getting screened.

Race is collected during preeclampsia screening to help make risk estimates more accurate, but it is not a cause of the condition. Social, structural, and genetic factors contribute to risk differences. Providing your race is voluntary, and all information is protected under Ontario’s privacy laws. Screening can still be done without it, though results may be less precise.

If your preeclampsia screening shows a higher risk, there are steps your healthcare provider can take to support you. These may include low-dose aspirin, closer monitoring, lifestyle guidance, and referral to a specialist when needed. Early screening and follow-up care help protect both parent and baby.

Universal first-trimester screening for preterm preeclampsia allows early identification of those at higher risk, enabling preventive care that improves outcomes for both parent and baby. Using a validated screening algorithm with maternal history, blood pressure, placental biomarkers, and ultrasound, healthcare providers can guide interventions like low-dose aspirin. Accurate measurements and timely follow-up are key to effective screening in practice.

During the week of April  11-17, 2026, members of BORN’s Health Equity Advisory Group participated in and supported events focused on advancing racialized maternal health through both Minofest and Toronto Black Maternal Health Week (TBMHW).

The BORN Ontario team, together with Dr. Khaled El Emam’s lab at the CHEO Research Institute, is developing My Pregnancy Companion, a personalized, safe, and culturally appropriate AI chatbot for pregnancy education.

A recent national analysis published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that while Canada has achieved widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs), interoperability between systems remains inconsistent and underdeveloped across jurisdictions.