Clinician Investigator, Clinical Epidemiology Program
Ottawa Hospital Research Institute

Assistant Professor, Department of OB/GYN
University of Ottawa

Staff Physician, Maternal Fetal Medicine
The Ottawa Hospital

Dr. Darine El-Chaâr is actively involved in maternal fetal medicine research to improve outcomes for fetus and mother during the pregnancy. Dr. El-Chaar’s contributions are mostly involved in maternal health during pregnancy, surveillance and management of pre-term labor, and management in labor to lower rates of caesarian sections.

Dr. El-Chaâr completed her Obstetrical and Gynecology residency at The University of Ottawa in 2012. She was extensively involved in research projects during her residency at the Ottawa hospital which gathered several achievement awards, publications, national and international presentations. Research initiatives included the risks of obesity on maternal and neonatal obstetrical outcomes and interventions. Her research also explored funding for this project which would help look at the postpartum outcomes in this patient population.

In July of 2014, Dr. Darine El-Chaâr completed her Maternal Fetal Medicine fellowship training at the University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Hospital. Throughout her training, Darine maintained a keen interest in obstetrical research and its impact on women's health.  

She joined the Maternal Fetal Medicine Department at The Ottawa Hospital as of July 2014. Her perinatology practice involves mostly maternal patients with Diabetes type 1, gestational diabetes, as well as elevated BMI. She also has skills and advanced training in prenatal invasive procedures and prenatal diagnosis.

Dr. El-Chaâr is actively involved in resident and fellow teaching, in addition to continuing development of the residency research educational curriculum.  She continues to take part in national and international conferences where she is invited to speak out on maternal and fetal medicine initiatives. Through many platforms, Dr. Darine El-Chaâr is dedicated to provide excellent patient care, and that is what motivates her daily in her research and educational activities.  Making a positive impact on a patient’s care experience is always the main priority in her approach to care.

Alnoman A, El-Khatib Z, M S Almrstani A, Walker M, El-Chaâr Darine. Case series of multiple repeat caesarean sections: operative, maternal, and neonatal outcome. J Matern Fetal Meonatal Med. 2015 Sep 12:1-5 (Epub ahead of print) PMID: 26364513

Berndl A, El-Chaâr Darine, Murphy K, McDonald S. Does cervical ripening at term using a high volume foley catheter result in a lower caesarean section rate than a low volume foley catheter? A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2014 Aug; 36(8):678-87. Review. PMID: 25222162

El-Chaâr Darine, Finkelstein SA, Tu X, Fell DB, Gaudet L, Sylvain J, Tawagi G, Wen SW, Walker M. The impact of increasing obesity class on obstetrical outcomes. J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2013 Mar; 35(3):224-33. PMID: 23470110

El-Chaâr Darine, Yang Q, Gao J, Bottomley J, Leader A, Wen SW, Walker M. Risk of birth defects increased in pregnancies conceived by assisted human reproduction. Fertil Steril. 2009 Nov; 92(5):1557-61. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.08.080. Epub 2008 Oct 29. PMID: 18973885

El-Chaâr Darine, Gagnon A, Sorisky A. Inhibition of insulin signaling and adipogenesis by rapamycin: effect on phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase vs eIF4E-BP1. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2004 Feb; 28(2):191-8. PMID: 14970836

Maternal and fetal health; Newborn and child health; Pregnancy; Women's health

Clinical research; Clinical trials; Cohort studies; Epidemiology; Public health