Article
Acoustics
I Papastefanou, D. Wright, A. Syngelaki, M. Lolos, K. Anampousi, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study developed a new competing-risks model for predicting small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates, with PlGF showing better performance in predicting SGA compared to PAPP-A, especially in the presence of pre-eclampsia (PE). The model can be tailored to individual pregnancies and clinical requirements.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Acoustics
U. Nowacka, I Papastefanou, A. Bouariu, A. Syngelaki, R. Akolekar, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study investigates the additional value of second-trimester placental growth factor (PlGF) in predicting small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates and examines second-trimester contingent screening strategies. The results show that the combination of maternal risk factors, estimated fetal weight (EFW), uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI), and PlGF significantly improves the prediction of SGA compared to maternal risk factors alone. However, the incremental improvement decreases when PlGF is added to screening with a combination of maternal risk factors, EFW, and UtA-PI. By reserving measurements of UtA-PI and PlGF for a certain percentage of the population, similar detection rates and false-positive rates can be achieved. The study concludes that the combination of maternal risk factors, EFW, UtA-PI, and PlGF provides an effective prediction of SGA in the second trimester.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alison G. Paquette, James MacDonald, Samantha Lapehn, Theo Bammler, Laken Kruger, Drew B. Day, Nathan D. Price, Christine Loftus, Kurunthachalam Kannan, Carmen Marsit, W. Alex Mason, Nicole R. Bush, Kaja Z. LeWinn, Daniel A. Enquobahrie, Bhagwat Prasad, Catherine J. Karr, Sheela Sathyanarayana
Summary: This study examined the associations between prenatal phthalate exposure in the second and third trimesters and the placental transcriptome at birth, identifying numerous genes and lncRNAs associated with phthalate exposure. These associations may provide insight into biological pathways affected by phthalate exposure during fetal development, as supported by other epidemiological and in vitro analyses.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Urszula Nowacka, Ioannis Papastefanou, Alexandra Bouariu, Argyro Syngelaki, Kypros H. Nicolaides
Summary: A new approach for predicting SGA, considering it a spectrum condition, has better predictive ability than traditional methods. However, the study found that second trimester levels of sFlt-1 and sFlt-1/PlGF are not useful in screening for SGA.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Kypros H. Nicolaides, Ioannis Papastefanou, Argyro Syngelaki, Ghalia Ashoor, Ranjit Akolekar
Summary: This study aimed to assess the predictive performance of a competing risks model for stillbirths related to placental dysfunction, based on a combination of maternal risk factors, estimated fetal weight, and uterine artery pulsatility index. The performance of this model was compared to a stillbirth-specific model and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG) guideline. The results showed that the competing risks model had similar predictive performance to the stillbirth-specific model and performed better than the RCOG guideline.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alison G. Paquette, James MacDonald, Samantha Lapehn, Theo Bammler, Laken Kruger, Drew B. Day, Nathan D. Price, Christine Loftus, Kurunthachalam Kannan, Carmen Marsit, W. Alex Mason, Nicole R. Bush, Kaja Z. LeWinn, Daniel A. Enquobahrie, Bhagwat Prasad, Catherine J. Karr, Sheela Sathyanarayana
Summary: This study examined the relationship between prenatal phthalate exposure and the placental transcriptome at birth, identifying numerous genes and lncRNAs associated with prenatal phthalate exposure. The findings provide insight into the biological pathways affected by phthalate exposure, contributing to a better understanding of the mechanisms of action during fetal development.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ciara N. Murphy, Susan P. Walker, Teresa M. MacDonald, Emerson Keenan, Natalie J. Hannan, Mary E. Wlodek, Jenny Myers, Jessica F. Briffa, Tania Romano, Alexandra Roddy Mitchell, Carole-Anne Whigham, Ping Cannon, Tuong-Vi Nguyen, Manju Kandel, Natasha Pritchard, Stephen Tong, Tu'uhevaha J. Kaitu'u-Lino
Summary: SPINT2 is identified as a potential biomarker for placental dysfunction, associated with preterm preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nikolaos Vrachnis, Savvas Argyridis, Dionysios Vrachnis, Nikolaos Antonakopoulos, Georgios Valsamakis, Christos Iavazzo, Dimitrios Zygouris, Nikolaos Salakos, Alexandros Rodolakis, Nikolaos Vlahos, George Mastorakos, Peter Drakakis, Zoi Iliodromiti
Summary: The study found that both FGF21 and insulin concentrations increased in cases of abnormal fetal growth. Higher levels of these hormones were observed in fetuses with restricted growth (SGA) or macrosomia (LGA).
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Serena Resta, Gaia Scandella, Ilenia Mappa, Maria Elena Pietrolucci, Pavjola Maqina, Giuseppe Rizzo
Summary: The number of pregnancies achieved through IVF is increasing globally, with improved chances of success due to technological advances. However, pregnancies conceived through IVF have a higher risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes, mainly related to hypertensive diseases, pre-eclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. Advances in ultrasound technology allow for the evaluation of placental volume and hemodynamics, with differences observed between fresh and frozen-thawed embryos.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Ulla Sovio, Francesca Gaccioli, Emma Cook, D. Stephen Charnock-Jones, Gordon C. S. Smith
Summary: This study aimed to determine the inter-relationships between five first-trimester biomarkers and a range of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The results showed that these biomarkers were associated with fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and preeclampsia, indicating heterogeneity in the underlying pathophysiological pathways for different types of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Stephanie Springer, Katharina Worda, Marie Franz, Eva Karner, Elisabeth Krampl-Bettelheim, Christof Worda
Summary: Early prediction of fetal growth restriction is important for treatment options and neonatal outcomes. This study assessed the association of parameters used in first-trimester screening and the development of fetal growth restriction. The findings showed that PAPP-A levels and uterine artery Doppler pulsatility index weresignificantly associated with fetal growth restriction.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Tu'uhevaha J. Kaitu'u-Lino, Stephen Tong, Susan P. Walker, Teresa M. MacDonald, Ping Cannon, Tuong-Vi Nguyen, Suresh Anand Sadananthan, Mya-Thway Tint, Yi Ying Ong, Loy See Ling, Peter D. Gluckman, Yap-Seng Chong, Keith M. Godfrey, Shiao-Yng Chan, Kok Hian Tan, Yung Seng Lee, Navin Michael, Johan G. Eriksson, Mary E. Wlodek
Summary: Low maternal circulating SPINT1 concentrations are associated with poor fetal growth, as validated by a study in Singapore where pregnant women with lower SPINT1 levels were more likely to deliver small-for-gestational age infants.
Article
Developmental Biology
Junshen He, Zhao Chen, Ting Wen, Liqun Xu, Chunlin Chen, Ping Liu
Summary: This study suggests that IVIM analysis can serve as an important supplement to ultrasound biometry for the noninvasive identification of false positive SGA pregnancies and SGA patients.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Amir Aviram, Sara L. Jones, Tianhua Huang, Abheha Satkunaratnam, Nir Melamed, Elad Mei-Dan
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate whether a mid-trimester placental scan can provide reassurance regarding fetal growth restriction (FGR) in women with abnormal eFTS biomarkers. The results showed that a normal second trimester placental scan can reduce the risk of FGR in these women.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Keiko Miyagami, Nahoko Shirato, Mikiko Izumi, Tatsuko Hirose, Osamu Yasui, Shoko Hamada, Ryu Matsuoka, Nobuhiro Suzumori, Akihiko Sekizawa
Summary: CFDNA analysis in maternal plasma can screen for CPM, accounting for approximately 10% of the causes of moderate or severe FGR, with a higher proportion of abnormal karyotype cells in the placenta associated with more severe placental dysfunction and FGR.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Acoustics
M. M. Gil, M. Rodriguez-Fernandez, T. Elger, R. Akolekar, A. Syngelaki, C. De Paco Matallana, F. S. Molina, M. Gallardo Arocena, P. Chaveeva, N. Persico, V Accurti, K. O. Kagan, N. Prodan, J. Cruz, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) in twin pregnancy may increase the risk of fetal loss, particularly in pregnancies with a lower background risk of fetal loss.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Acoustics
R. Romero, A. Conde-Agudelo, A. Rehal, E. Da Fonseca, M. L. Brizot, L. Rode, V. Serra, E. Cetingoz, A. Syngelaki, A. Tabor, A. Perales, S. S. Hassan, K. H. Nicolaides
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
David Basurto, Francesca Maria Russo, Ioannis Papastefanou, Emma Bredaki, Karel Allegaert, Africa Pertierra, Anne Debeer, Luc De Catte, Liesbeth Lewi, Roland Devlieger, Paolo De Coppi, Eduard Gratacos, Olga Gomez, Jan Deprest
Summary: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension (PAH) in left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and explore the predictors and contribution of PAH to mortality prediction. The results showed that PAH was associated with observed/expected-lung/head-ratio and fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion on postnatal day 1, and its occurrence further increased the risk of death. Antenatal prediction of PAH was limited, highlighting the need for more accurate predictors.
PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Alan Wright, Peter von Dadelszen, Laura A. Magee, Argyro Syngelaki, Ranjit Akolekar, Dave Wright, Kypros H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study examined the effect of self-declared race on serum placental growth factor (PlGF) and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and its impact on the prediction of pre-eclampsia (PE). The results showed that compared to white women, black, South Asian, East Asian, and mixed race women had higher mean PlGF levels and lower sFlt-1/PlGF ratios.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
A. Arechvo, A. Wright, A. Syngelaki, P. von Dadelszen, L. A. Magee, R. Akolekar, D. Wright, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the English Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and the incidence of pre-eclampsia (PE), assess the distribution of IMD in a diverse cohort of pregnant women, and evaluate whether IMD improves the prediction of PE compared to a "history-only" competing-risks model. The results showed that the incidence of PE increased across IMD quintiles, and black women had a higher incidence of PE. However, IMD did not improve the prediction of PE compared to race and other maternal characteristics.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Ioannis Papastefanou, David Wright, Argyro Syngelaki, Ranjit Akolekar, Kypros H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study aimed to stratify pregnancy care for high-risk pregnancies at risk of delivering small for gestational age neonates based on the application of a competing-risks model that combines maternal factors with sonographic estimated fetal weight and uterine artery pulsatility index at midgestation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Acoustics
I. Papastefanou, K. H. Nicolaides, L. J. Salomon
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Laura A. Magee, David Wright, Argyro Syngelaki, Peter von Dadelszen, Ranjit Akolekar, Alan Wright, Kypros H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study aimed to identify the optimal screening and timing of birth strategy for preventing term preeclampsia. The results showed that screening and delivering at 35-36 weeks had the highest efficacy in preventing term preeclampsia.
Article
Acoustics
D. L. Rolnik, A. Syngelaki, N. O'Gorman, D. Wright, L. C. Poon, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of aspirin on mean arterial pressure (MAP) and mean uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI) in women at increased risk of preterm pre-eclampsia. The results showed that aspirin did not significantly affect MAP, but it was associated with a significant decrease in mean UtA-PI, particularly before 20 weeks of gestation.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
G. Albaiges, I. Papastefanou, I. Rodriguez, P. Prats, M. Echevarria, M. A. Rodriguez, A. Rodriguez Melcon
Summary: This study examines the external validity of the new Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) competing-risks model for predicting small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates in midgestation. The study finds that the model performs well in a large independent Spanish population.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
I. Papastefanou, E. Gyokova, B. Gungil, A. Syngelaki, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study aims to investigate the association between birth weight and gestational age at delivery with adverse neonatal outcomes and describe the distribution of adverse neonatal outcomes within different risk strata derived from a population stratification scheme based on the midgestation risk assessment for small-for-gestational-age neonates. The results showed that birth weight has a continuous association with adverse neonatal outcomes, influenced by gestational age. Pregnancies at high risk of small-for-gestational-age, estimated at midgestation, are also at increased risk for adverse neonatal outcomes.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
A. Schiattarella, L. A. Magee, A. Wright, A. Syngelaki, R. Akolekar, P. Von Dadelszen, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study compared different approaches for screening for pre-eclampsia at 35+ 0 to 36+ 6 weeks gestation. The results showed that the triple test using the competing-risks model performed better than using PlGF alone or the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, providing more accurate prediction of pre-eclampsia risk.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Ioannis Papastefanou, Ghalia Ashoor, Argyro Syngelaki, Ranjit Akolekar, Kypros H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the association between antepartum stillbirth and the distribution of neonatal/fetal weight for different gestational ages. The study found a continuous association between fetal weight and the weight of antepartum stillbirth, which was influenced by gestational age. The highest risk of stillbirth occurred in fetuses with weights below the 1st percentile between 24 and 28 weeks' gestation.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
N. Sokratous, M. Bednorz, P. Sarli, O. E. Morillo Montes, A. Syngelaki, A. Wright, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study aimed to examine the performance of screening for preterm and term pre-eclampsia (PE) using maternal factors and combinations of maternal serum glycosylated fibronectin (GlyFn), mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA-PI), and serum placental growth factor (PlGF) during early pregnancy. The findings suggest that GlyFn may be a useful biomarker for screening preterm PE in the first trimester. However, the performance of screening for term PE or gestational hypertension at 11-13 weeks' gestation using any combination of biomarkers is poor. Prospective screening studies are needed to validate the results of this case-control study.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2023)