Gestational diabetes and preeclampsia in Anglophones of Québec: dissemination of results through open access

Previous research suggests that Anglophones in Québec may face an increasing risk of adverse birth outcomes. Earlier analyses have shown that, compared with Francophones, Anglophones have a higher risk of stillbirth and preterm birth. To better understand the factors underlying these disparities, funding was awarded by Dialogue McGill in 2023 to support two complementary studies examining the risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia among Anglophones versus Francophones. These conditions are significant pregnancy-related morbidities with important implications for maternal and infant health. The researchers plan to publish the findings from both studies in peer-reviewed open-access journals to ensure broad dissemination. In parallel, they are collaborating with knowledge user Marianne Bilodeau-Bertrand to translate the results into surveillance-related activities aimed at informing the Québec Ministry of Health and Social Services.

Outputs:

Two manuscripts were published in peer reviewed journals:

1) Auger, N., Ayoub, A., Bilodeau-Bertrand, M., Lafleur, N., & Wei, S. Q. (2025). Ethnocultural status and risk of preeclampsia in a Canadian setting. Pregnancy Hypertension, 39, 101202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.preghy.2025.101202

2) Auger, N., Bilodeau-Bertrand, M., Ayoub, A., Lafleur, N., & Wei, S. Q. (2025). Increasing risk of gestational diabetes in an ethnocultural minority of Canada. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 27(2), 191–199. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-024-01667-6.

Output recipients include members of the academic community as well as data and knowledge users at the Institut national de santé publique du Québec and Ministry of Health and Social Services of Quebec.

Pregnancy outcomes of Anglophones compared with Francophones in Québec

A growing number of studies suggest that Anglophones may be at risk of preterm birth and stillbirth in Québec. However, pregnancy outcomes such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia have not been studied. These two pregnancy complications are major causes of morbidity in pregnant women and have potential to explain why some Anglophones have a greater risk of preterm birth and stillbirth. Gestational diabetes is a type of hyperglycemia that develops specifically during pregnancy, and can lead to complications in infants and mothers. Preeclampsia is a life-threatening pregnancy complication that can lead to severe hypertension, seizures, and maternal death. The objective of this research proposal is to investigate if Anglophones have a higher risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, compared with Francophones. We will perform population-based studies using linked data that include birth characteristics and medico-administrative information in Québec from 2008 to 2020. The main exposure will be English or French maternal mother tongue. The main outcomes will be gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. We will measure the association between maternal mother tongue and the risk of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia using regression models. We will also determine if maternal characteristics such as age, country of origin, education, and socioeconomic status influence the relationships of interest. Our findings will help assess the extent to which Anglophones have high risk pregnancies that may benefit from enhanced obstetric care to prevent adverse outcomes.

Outcomes:

• Auger N, Bilodeau-Bertrand M, Ayoub A, Lafleur N, Wei SQ. (2024; submitted). Increasing risk of gestational diabetes in the Anglophone minority of Quebec. Canadian Journal of Diabetes.

• Auger, N., Bilodeau-Bertrand, M., Lafleur, N., & Lewin, A. (2024). Underlying Causes of Ethnocultural Inequality in Pregnancy Outcomes: Role of Hospital Proximity. Journal of immigrant and minority health, 26(1), 54–62. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-023-01545-7

• Auger N, Bilodeau-Bertrand M, Lafleur N. (2023). Access to perinatal healthcare: Risk of adverse birth outcomes among minority Anglophones in Montreal, Canada [Poster presentation]. Colloquium 2023 on the Health of OLMCs, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

• Auger N, Bilodeau-Bertrand M, Lafleur N, Lewin, A. (2023). Ethnocultural inequality in pregnancy outcomes: Comparison of Francophones and Anglophones in Montreal [Poster presentation]. Colloquium 2023 on the Health of OLMCs, Health Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

• Auger N. Pregnancy outcomes of Quebec Anglophones: recent research results. (unknown). QUESCREN Concordia Lunch and Learn. Montreal, Québec, Canada.

• Auger N, Ayoub A, Bilodeau-Bertrand M, Lafleur N, Wei SQ. Ethnocultural status and risk of preeclampsia in a Canadian setting. Pregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women’s Cardiovascular Health. 2025;7;39:101202. doi:10.1016/j.preghy.2025.101202. PMID: 39922025.

• Auger N, Bilodeau-Bertrand M, Ayoub A, Lafleur N, Wei SQ. Increasing risk of gestational diabetes in an ethnocultural minority of Canada. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. 2025;27(2):191-199. doi:10.1007/s10903-024-01667-6, PMID: 39824967. 

• Auger N, Bilodeau-Bertrand M, Ayoub A, Lafleur N, Wei SQ. Risk of gestational diabetes in Anglophones and Francophones of Quebec) at the 91st Annual Acfas Congress (May 14th 2024).