WHOOP identifies novel pregnancy digital biomarker amid rising preterm birth rates

The human performance company WHOOP has announced new research that could pave the way to prevent preterm infant morbidity and mortality and improve health outcomes.

The US company has uncovered a pregnancy digital biomarker for noninvasive prescreening for premature birth that could tackle the country’s rising rates of maternal mortality.

Preterm birth is the second leading cause of infant mortality in the US, with 35.8 per cent of all infant deaths classed as preterm-related.

In a new study in peer review, led by WHOOP senior vice president of data science and research Emily Capodilupo, the company analysed the physiological data of 241 pregnancies and found that in singleton pregnancies, maternal heart rate variability (HRV) trends invert seven weeks prior to delivery.

The timing of that inversion is consistent relative to eventual delivery date for both premature and full-term pregnancies, acting as a potential indicator of the likely delivery date.

Understanding this change in HRV, which the firm’s researchers have labeled the WHOOP Inflection Point, could have the potential to save lives, reduce medical costs, and provide more insight to expecting parents.

One out of every ten births in the US is preterm and the rates have been increasing since the 1980s, particularly in black infants, American Indian/Alaska Natives and Hispanics.

Will Ahmed, WHOOP founder and CEO, said: “We pride ourselves on doing research and building features to support our members.

“Here we conducted one of the largest studies ever on pregnant women and discovered a completely novel screening method for delivery date.

“We’ve worked vigorously to incorporate this research into the WHOOP app and we will continue to update the feature on a weekly basis for our members.”

Dr Elizabeth Cherot, chief medical officer of the women’s healthcare group Axia Women’s Health, said the study is “incredibly significant” in light of the national public health concerns around premature births.

“Accessible, noninvasive screening options for premature birth can serve as early warning signs for pregnant people, giving them more time to find and administer interventions to improve health outcomes.

“WHOOP has identified a new biomarker that merits additional clinical research alongside the implementation of its wearable technology,” she added.

The WHOOP Inflection point is characterised by a sustained inversion of HRV seven weeks prior to delivery.

While during most of pregnancy a woman’s HRV decreases, the research team found that HRV trendline inverted seven weeks prior to delivery, as HRV began to rebound.

“This initial research into the WHOOP Inflection Point could be an early screening tool of whether a pregnant woman’s baby may be arriving prematurely,” said Dr Patrick Carroll, WHOOP chief medical officer.

“Women who experience a sustained HRV inversion prior than expected should consult their doctors and discuss the potential risk of premature birth and further appropriate screening tests.”

WHOOP offers a wearable health and fitness coach that delivers insights and feedback based on data, behaviours, and goals to help people build healthier habits and optimise their performance.

The company is launching a new tool that will provide members with trend views in their Weekly Performance Assessment showing how their HRV and resting heart rate change week-over-week throughout their pregnancy relative to a model of vital sign changes derived from roughly 1,200 pregnancies captured on WHOOP.

Members can unlock this feature by choosing to opt-in to pregnancy coaching and adding their estimated due date.

By using the feature, developers hope members will gain a deeper understanding of their pregnancy journey and bodies.

The news comes two weeks after the company announced the launch of its Scientific Advisory Council to drive research and innovation in women’s health and female physiology and improve the overall membership experience.