Article
Acoustics
I. Papastefanou, U. Nowacka, A. Syngelaki, V. Dragoi, G. Karamanis, D. Wright, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study demonstrated that adding second-trimester estimated fetal weight (EFW) improves the prediction of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates, particularly in cases of prematurity and severe smallness. Screening based on maternal characteristics and EFW can more accurately identify SGA neonates, enhancing the model's accuracy.
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
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
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
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
Medicine, General & Internal
Olga Buerger, Tania Elger, Antonia Varthaliti, Argyro Syngelaki, Alan Wright, Kypros H. Nicolaides
Summary: In this study, we found that maternal characteristics and medical history can be used to predict the risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), with a higher risk in twin pregnancies. Factors such as maternal age, weight, family history, racial background, and conception method all influence the risk of GDM.
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
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilona Hromadnikova, Katerina Kotlabova, Ladislav Krofta
Summary: The study aimed to determine the diagnostic potential of cardiovascular disease-associated microRNAs for the early detection of SGA and FGR without PE. The findings suggest that these microRNAs could serve as promising biomarkers and improve the detection rate of these conditions.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Giovanna Martin-Palumbo, Vangeliya Blagoeva Atanasova, Maria Teresa Rego Tejeda, Eugenia Antolin Alvarado, Jose Luis Bartha
Summary: Comparing ultrasound-based estimated fetal weight at 32 and 36 weeks can increase the detection rate of small-for-gestational age fetuses and help find a better predictive cutoff level. Ultrasound at 36 weeks showed higher accuracy in detecting SGA fetuses compared to ultrasound at 32 weeks.
JOURNAL OF MATERNAL-FETAL & NEONATAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Anne Ego, Isabelle Monier, Antoine Vilotitch, Gilles Kayem, Christophe Vayssiere, Eric Verspyck, Jennifer Zeitlin
Summary: Standardised longitudinal reporting of growth monitoring information did not improve antenatal detection of infants who are small for gestational age (SGA) compared to usual care.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
I Papastefanou, U. Nowacka, O. Buerger, R. Akolekar, D. Wright, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: The detection rate for neonates that were SGA using the competing risk approach is almost double than that obtained with the RCOG guideline, indicating that the competing risks model performs better in predicting SGA infants compared to the existing RCOG guideline.
BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Yasuyuki Kojita, Hidetoshi Matsuo, Tomonori Kanda, Mizuho Nishio, Keitaro Sofue, Munenobu Nogami, Atsushi K. Kono, Masatoshi Hori, Takamichi Murakami
Summary: The study found that a deep learning model can accurately predict gestational age from fetal brain MRI images acquired after the first trimester.
EUROPEAN RADIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Caiyun Ge, Ting Geng, Lin Cheng, Yuanzhen Zhang
Summary: Maternal exposure to PCB118 was found to have adverse effects on placental angiogenesis and fetal growth. PCB118 exposure caused decreased fetal body and placental weights, increased rates of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), impaired placental histology, decreased number of blood vessels, and anomalous mRNA expression of genes related to angiogenesis in the placenta.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
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)
Article
Acoustics
I. Papastefanou, D. Wright, A. Syngelaki, K. Souretis, E. Chrysanthopoulou, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study developed a new competing-risks model for predicting small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates based on maternal factors and biophysical and biochemical markers at 11-13 weeks' gestation. The model showed improved prediction for SGA cases with increasing prematurity, severity of smallness, coexistence of pre-eclampsia, and number of biomarkers. The new model was well-calibrated and could be used for personalized antenatal care plans.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Acoustics
I. Papastefanou, D. Wright, A. Syngelaki, K. Souretis, E. Chrysanthopoulou, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study developed a new competing-risks model for predicting small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates based on maternal factors and biophysical and biochemical markers at 11-13 weeks' gestation. The model showed improved prediction for SGA cases with increasing prematurity, severity of smallness, coexistence of pre-eclampsia, and number of biomarkers. The new model was well-calibrated and could be used for personalized antenatal care plans.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Acoustics
I. Papastefanou, U. Nowacka, A. Syngelaki, V. Dragoi, G. Karamanis, D. Wright, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study demonstrated that adding second-trimester estimated fetal weight (EFW) improves the prediction of small-for-gestational-age (SGA) neonates, particularly in cases of prematurity and severe smallness. Screening based on maternal characteristics and EFW can more accurately identify SGA neonates, enhancing the model's accuracy.
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
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)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Beata Anna Nowakowska, Katarzyna Pankiewicz, Urszula Nowacka, Magdalena Niemiec, Szymon Kozlowski, Tadeusz Issat
Summary: This review presents the current state of knowledge about the genetic disturbances responsible for fetal growth restriction (FGR) diagnosis, and discusses the fetal, placental, and maternal causes, as well as their impact on prenatal diagnostics.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Acoustics
G. Ashoor, A. Syngelaki, I Papastefanou, K. H. Nicolaides, R. Akolekar
Summary: The study demonstrates that a model combining maternal risk factors, UtA-PI, and EFW at 19-24 weeks' gestation can effectively predict antepartum stillbirths due to impaired placentation, especially those occurring preterm.
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
Immunology
Urszula Nowacka, Paulina Malarkiewicz, Janusz Sierdzinski, Aleksandra Januszaniec, Szymon Kozlowski, Tadeusz Issat
Summary: Pregnancy is a known factor for vaccine hesitancy, and this study investigated the vaccine uptake and hesitancy rate among pregnant and postpartum individuals. The results showed that only 59.8% of the participants were offered a vaccine by healthcare professionals. Women with higher levels of education, positive feedback about vaccination, or knowledge about COVID-19 complications in pregnancy were more likely to accept the vaccination. Hesitancy was associated with multiparity, worse educational status, and lack of previous COVID-19 infection.
Article
Acoustics
I Papastefanou, V Thanopoulou, S. Dimopoulou, A. Syngelaki, R. Akolekar, K. H. Nicolaides
Summary: This study developed a competing-risks model for predicting SGA neonates by incorporating sonographically estimated fetal weight (EFW) and biomarkers of impaired placentation at 36 weeks' gestation. The performance of the new model was compared with that of the traditional EFW < 10th percentile cut-off. The new model showed better predictive performance, especially when there was a longer time interval between assessment and delivery.
ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
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
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
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)