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Maternal and Fetal Medicine

The Maternal and Fetal Medicine Research Group has been recognized by AGAUR as a consolidated research group. It is a multidisciplinary team which integrates different knowledge areas in basic and clinical research. Basic research aims to identify new diagnostic and therapeutic tools in maternal and fetal pathologies, while clinical research intends to apply these tools in clinical practice.

The group coordinator is Dr. Elena Carreras, awarded with the professional excellence award by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Barcelona in 2018.

The group has different investigation areas:

  • Preterm delivery and vaginal microbiota
  • Placental insufficiency    
  • Fetal spina bifida prenatal surgical treatment 
  • Obstetric ultrasound, fetal medicine and fetal therapy
  • Maternal and obstetric pathology and infections during gestation

Team

Ester Del Barco Martínez

Ester Del Barco Martínez

Research technician
Maternal and Fetal Medicine
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Júlia Laborda Aylagas

Júlia Laborda Aylagas

Research technician
Maternal and Fetal Medicine
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Maria Antonia Perello Barcelo

Maria Antonia Perello Barcelo

Predoctoral researcher
Maternal and Fetal Medicine
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Moreno Perez, Elena

Moreno Perez, Elena

Predoctoral researcher
Maternal and Fetal Medicine
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Santiago Rodríguez-Tubío Dapena

Santiago Rodríguez-Tubío Dapena

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Francisco Barranco Martinez

Francisco Barranco Martinez

Predoctoral researcher
Maternal and Fetal Medicine
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Ester Del Barco Martínez

Ester Del Barco Martínez

Research technician
Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Read more
Júlia Laborda Aylagas

Júlia Laborda Aylagas

Research technician
Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Read more
Maria Antonia Perello Barcelo

Maria Antonia Perello Barcelo

Predoctoral researcher
Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Read more
Moreno Perez, Elena

Moreno Perez, Elena

Predoctoral researcher
Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Read more
Santiago Rodríguez-Tubío Dapena

Santiago Rodríguez-Tubío Dapena

Read more
Francisco Barranco Martinez

Francisco Barranco Martinez

Predoctoral researcher
Maternal and Fetal Medicine
Read more

Publications

Timing of umbilical cord occlusion, delayed vs early, in preterm babies: A randomized controlled trial (CODE-P Trial).

PMID: 37696147
Journal: European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology
Year: 2023
Reference: Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2023 Aug 23;289:203-207. doi: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.08.376.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Beneitez, D; Beneitez, D; Bergamo, S; Carbonell, M; Carbonell, M; Carreras, E; Carreras, E; Castillo, F; Castillo, F; Cespedes, M C et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.08.376

Early-Stage Breast Cancer Detection in Breast Milk.

PMID: 37704212
Journal: Cancer Discovery
Year: 2023
Reference: Cancer Discov. 2023 Sep 14:OF1-OF12. doi: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-22-1340.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Arenas, Enrique J; Arenas, Enrique J; Arevalo, Silvia; Arevalo, Silvia; Arribas, Joaquin; Balmana, Judith; Balmana, Judith; Bayo-Puxan, Neus; Carrasco, Estela; Carrasco, Estela et al.
DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.CD-22-1340

FETAL PR INTERVAL IN PREGNANCIES WITH INTRAHEPATIC CHOLESTASIS OF PREGNANCY: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY.

PMID: 37774745
Journal: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PERINATOLOGY
Year: 2023
Reference: Am J Perinatol. 2023 Sep 29. doi: 10.1055/a-2184-0242.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Guerra, Manuel; Haye, Maria; Maiz, Nerea; Maiz, Nerea; Montano, Ignacio; Toro, Victoria et al.
DOI: 10.1055/a-2184-0242

Clinical effectiveness of routine first-trimester combined screening for pre-eclampsia in Spain with the addition of placental growth factor.

PMID: 37814344
Journal: ACTA OBSTETRICIA ET GYNECOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
Year: 2023
Reference: Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2023 Oct 9. doi: 10.1111/aogs.14687.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Armengol-Alsina, Mireia; Bonacina, Erika; Caamina, Sara; Carreras, Elena; Catalan, Sara; Dalmau, Marta; Del Barco, Ester; Garcia-Manau, Pablo; Hernandez, Alina; Lopez, Monica et al.
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14687

Management of Hospitalized Respiratory Syncytial Virus Bronchiolitis in the Pediatric Ward in Spain: Assessing the Impact of a New Clinical Practice Protocol.

PMID: 34936054
Journal: PEDIATRIC DRUGS
Year: 2022
Reference: Paediatr Drugs. 2022 Jan;24(1):63-71. doi: 10.1007/s40272-021-00488-6. Epub 2021 Dec 22.
Impact factor: 3.022
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Vila, Jorgina, Lera, Esther, Peremiquel-Trillas, Paula, Martinez, Laia, Barcelo, Irene, Andres, Cristina, Rodrigo-Pendas, Jose Angel, Anton, Andres, Rodrigo, Carlos et al.
DOI: 10.1007/s40272-021-00488-6

Management of Pregnancy in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus/Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Part 3: Childbirth. Puerperium. Breastfeeding Contraception. Newborn.

PMID: 31831386
Journal: Reumatologia clinica
Year: 2021
Reference: Reumatol Clin. 2021 Apr;17(4):183-186. doi: 10.1016/j.reuma.2019.09.004. Epub 2019 Dec 10.
Impact factor: 0
Publication type: Paper in national publication
Authors: Delgado, Paloma, Robles, Angel, Martinez Lopez, Juan Antonio, Saez-Comet, Luis, Rodriguez Almaraz, Esther, Martinez-Sanchez, Nuria, Ugarte, Amaia, Vela-Casasempere, Paloma, Marco, Beatriz, Espinosa, Gerard et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.reuma.2019.09.004

Individual risk assessment for prenatal counseling in early-onset growth-restricted and small-for-gestational-age fetuses.

PMID: 33098097
Journal: ACTA OBSTETRICIA ET GYNECOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
Year: 2021
Reference: Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2021 Mar;100(3):504-512. doi: 10.1111/aogs.14032. Epub 2020 Nov 6.
Impact factor: 3.636
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Mendoza, Manel, Hurtado, Ivan, Bonacina, Erika, Garcia-Manau, Pablo, Serrano, Berta, Tur, Helena, Rodo, Carlota, Maiz, Nerea, Carreras, Elena et al.
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14032

Safety of tocilizumab in COVID-19 pregnant women and their newborn: A retrospective study.

PMID: 33638257
Journal: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY AND THERAPEUTICS
Year: 2021
Reference: J Clin Pharm Ther. 2021 Aug;46(4):1062-1070. doi: 10.1111/jcpt.13394. Epub 2021 Feb 26.
Impact factor: 2.512
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Jimenez-Lozano, Ines, Caro-Teller, Jose Manuel, Fernandez-Hidalgo, Nuria, Miarons, Marta, Frick, Marie Antoinette, Batllori Badia, Emma, Serrano, Berta, Parramon-Teixido, Carlos Javier, Camba-Longueira, Fatima, Moral-Pumarega, Maria Teresa et al.
DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.13394

Pre-operative prevalence of asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 in hospitals in Catalonia during the first wave after the resumption of surgical activity.

PMID: 33610261
Journal: CIRUGIA ESPANOLA
Year: 2021
Reference: Cir Esp (Engl Ed). 2021 Jan 29. pii: S0009-739X(21)00036-1. doi: 10.1016/j.ciresp.2021.01.014.
Impact factor: 1.653
Publication type: Paper in national publication
Authors: de Miguel Negro, Marcos, Moret Ferron, Maria Lluisa, Salmeron Zafra, Oscar, Isern Domingo, Xenia, Villalba Blanco, Naiara, Tobito Ramirez, Javier, Remartinez Fernandez, Fernando, Tejedor Navarro, Ana, Biarnes Sune, Alfons, Manrique Munoz, Susana et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ciresp.2021.01.014

Prospective evaluation of the uterocervical angle as a predictor of spontaneous preterm birth.

PMID: 32311754
Journal: ACTA OBSTETRICIA ET GYNECOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
Year: 2020
Reference: Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2020 Nov;99(11):1511-1518. doi: 10.1111/aogs.13879. Epub 2020 Jun 3.
Impact factor: 2.77
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Carreras, Elena, Goya, Maria M, Maiz, Nerea, Regincos Marti, Laia, Calero, Ines Z, Farras Llobet, Alba, Higueras, Teresa et al.
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13879

Treatment and outcome in 370 cases with spontaneous or post-laser twin anemia polycythemia sequence managed in 17 different fetal therapy centers.

PMID: 32291846
Journal: ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
Year: 2020
Reference: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Sep;56(3):378-387. doi: 10.1002/uog.22042.
Impact factor: 5.571
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Klumper, F J C M, Akkermans, J, Delagrange, H, Pandya, V, Faiola, S, Favre, R, Hobson, S R, Rodo, C, Thilaganathan, B, Papanna, R et al.
DOI: 10.1002/uog.22042

Can the Progression Angle before Labor Help to Predict Cesarean Section?

PMID: 31645041
Journal: FETAL DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY
Year: 2020
Reference: Fetal Diagn Ther. 2020;47(4):284-291. doi: 10.1159/000503387. Epub 2019 Oct 23.
Impact factor: 2.095
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Alzola, Irune, Murua, Emerson, Rodriguez, Javier, Burgos, Jorge, Maiz, Nerea et al.
DOI: 10.1159/000503387

Intraobserver and interobserver variability in first-trimester transvaginal ultrasound cervical length.

PMID: 30198351
Journal: Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
Year: 2020
Reference: J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2020 Jan;33(1):136-141. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1487939. Epub 2018 Sep 9.
Impact factor: 1.737
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Gascon, Andrea, Goya, Maria, Mendoza, Manel, Garcia, Anna, Higueras, Teresa, Calero, Ines, Aviles, Mayte, Sanchez, M feminine Angeles, Llurba, Elisa, Cabero, Luis et al.
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1487939

Clinical application of a contingent screening strategy for trisomies with cell-free DNA: a pilot study.

PMID: 31370808
Journal: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
Year: 2019
Reference: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019 Aug 1;19(1):274. doi: 10.1186/s12884-019-2434-0.
Impact factor: 2.413
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Carreras, Elena, Sanchez-Duran, Maria Angeles, Bernabeu Garcia, Andrea, Calero, Ines, Ramis Fossas, Jordi, Illescas, Tamara, Aviles, Maria Teresa, Maiz, Nerea et al.
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-019-2434-0

Associations between neural injury markers of intrauterine growth-restricted infants and neurodevelopment at 2 years of age.

PMID: 29606022
Journal: Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
Year: 2019
Reference: J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2019 Oct;32(19):3197-3203. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1460347. Epub 2018 Apr 18.
Impact factor: 1.569
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Mazarico, E, Llurba, E, Cabero, L, Sanchez, O, Valls, A, Cardenas, D, Gomez Roig, M D, Martin-Ancel, A et al.
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1460347

Preterm Labor: Up to Date.

PMID: 31211139
Journal: Biomed Research International
Year: 2019
Reference: Biomed Res Int. 2019 May 9;2019:4870938. doi: 10.1155/2019/4870938. eCollection 2019.
Impact factor: 2.197
Publication type: Editorail in international publication
Authors: Daskalakis, George, Arabin, Birgit, Antsaklis, Aris, Cabero Roura, Luis et al.
DOI: 10.1155/2019/4870938

Proceedings of the First Annual Meeting of the International Fetoscopic Myelomeningocele Repair Consortium.

PMID: 31169957
Journal: ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
Year: 2019
Reference: Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Jun;53(6):855-863. doi: 10.1002/uog.20308.
Impact factor: 5.595
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Figueroa, H, Simpson, L, Nicolaides, K H, Yamamoto, M, Ville, Y, Stirnemann, J, Benifla, M, Cortes, M Sanz, Lapa, D A, Belfort, M et al.
DOI: 10.1002/uog.20308

Cervical pessary to prevent preterm birth in women with twin gestation and sonographic short cervix: a multicenter randomized controlled trial (PECEP-Twins).

PMID: 26627728
Journal: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
Year: 2016
Reference: Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2016 Feb;214(2):145-52. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.11.012. Epub 2015 Nov 25.
Impact factor: 4.681
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Goya, Maria, de la Calle, Maria, Pratcorona, Laia, Merced, Carme, Rodo, Carlota, Munoz, Begona, Juan, Miquel, Serrano, Ariana, Llurba, Elisa, Higueras, Teresa et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.11.012

Blog

News

The meeting was an opportunity to get to know projects from both institutions and to promote interaction between professionals.

Dr. Elizabeth Echoka proposes a digital platform to monitor obstetric risks in pregnant women in underserved populations.

The team will design and implement a training program for professionals for the respectful care of maternity and childbirth.