The S-PRESTO study seeks to investigate the effects of nutrition, lifestyle, mental health and other environmental factors before and during pregnancy on the eventual health and socio-emotional outcomes of the mother and baby. It encompasses assessments such as imaging of the womb and ovaries, blood tests to determine ovarian health, as well as measurements of their body mass index and blood pressure.

The research will involve 1,000 couples who are actively planning pregnancy. Information will be collected from the time they plan to conceive, to successful conception and up until their child is two years old. The study seeks to establish the important mechanisms linking maternal and perinatal health and nutrition to child development. The long-term goal is to develop effective approaches to prevent metabolic diseases and neurodevelopment disorders – ultimately enhancing health outcomes for every birth.

S-PRESTO is a joint effort by KKH, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences (SICS) of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and the National University Health System (NUHS).