Fetal programming
Fetal and perinatal brain damage.
Our aim is to characterize the pathophysiology of prenatal brain damage, using fetal growth retardation (IUGR), as a model and to develop diagnostic and treatment methods for this condition.
To identify very early biomarkers of brain damage, the research group evaluates changes in fetal brain tissue by using bioimaging techniques (ultrasound and MRI-DTI-MRS), correlates these changes with new biochemical and genomic biomarkers of brain damage, and associates the results with various neurodevelopmental tests in the first few months and years of life.
The group has developed a hypoxic animal model to study endothelial activation and other pathways of activation in the fetal brain and their role in the genesis of neurological damage.
Major and most recent publications
Middle versus anterior cerebral artery Doppler for the prediction of perinatal outcome and neonatal neurobehavior in term small-for-gestational-age fetuses with normal umbilical artery Doppler. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol.
Oros D, Figueras F, Cruz-Martinez R, Padilla N, Meler E, Hernandez-Andrade E, Gratacos E.
2010 Apr;35(4):456-61. PubMed PMID: 20178115.
Link PubMed
Fractal-dimension analysis detects cerebral changes in preterm infants with and without intrauterine growth restriction. Neuroimage.
Esteban FJ, Padilla N, Sanz-Cortés M, de Miras JR, Bargalló N, Villoslada P, Gratacós E.
2010 Jul 13. PubMed PMID: 20633658.
Link PubMed
Longitudinal changes in uterine, umbilical and cerebral Doppler in late-onset small-for-gestational age fetuses. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol.
Oros D, Figueras F, Cruz-Martinez R, Meler E, Munmany M, Gratacos E.
2010 Jul 8 PubMed PMID: 20617509
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Longitudinal brain perfusion changes in near-term small-for-gestational-age fetuses as measured by spectral Doppler indices or by fractional moving blood volume. Am J Obstet Gynecol.
12: Cruz-Martinez R, Figueras F, Hernandez-Andrade E, Puerto B, Gratacós E.
2010 Jul;203(1):42.e1-6. Epub 2010 May 1. PubMed PMID: 20435282.
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Abnormal brain microstructure and metabolism in small-for-gestational-age term fetuses with normal umbilical artery Doppler. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol.
6: Sanz-Cortés M, Figueras F, Bargalló N, Padilla N, Amat-Roldan I, Gratacós E.
2010 Aug;36(2):159-65. PubMed PMID: 20549770.
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Neurobehavior in Term, Small-for-Gestational Age Infants With Normal Placental Function.
Figueras F, Oros D, Cruz-Martinez R, Padilla N, Hernandez-Andrade E, Botet F, Costas-Moragas C, Gratacos E
Pediatrics. 2009 Nov;124(5):e934-41. Epub 2009 Oct 26.
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Cerebral blood perfusion and neurobehavioral performance in full-term small-for-gestational-age fetuses.
Cruz-Martinez R, Figueras F, Oros D, Padilla N, Meler E, Hernandez-Andrade E, Gratacos E.
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Nov;201(5):474.e1-7. Epub 2009 Jul 24.
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Neurodevelopmental outcome in 2-year-old infants who were small-for-gestational age term fetuses with cerebral blood flow redistribution.
Eixarch E, Meler E, Iraola A, Illa M, Crispi F, Hernandez-Andrade E, Gratacos E, Figueras F.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Dec;32(7):894-9.
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Changes in regional fetal cerebral blood flow perfusion in relation to hemodynamic deterioration in severely growth-restricted fetuses.
Hernandez-Andrade E, Figueroa-Diesel H, Jansson T, Rangel-Nava H, Gratacos E.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Jul;32(1):71-6.
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Fetal programming of cardiovascular dysfunction.
This research line aims to characterize cardiac function and develop methods for the prediction and treatment of fetal programming of cardiac dysfunction in fetuses and children.
Fetal growth restriction results in remodeled and less efficient hearts in children. Circulation.
Crispi F, Bijnens B, Figueras F, Bartrons J, Eixarch E, Le Noble F, Ahmed A, Gratacós E.
2010 Jun 8;121(22):2427-36. Epub 2010 May 24. PubMed PMID: 20497977.
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Usefulness of myocardial tissue Doppler vs conventional echocardiography in the evaluation of cardiac dysfunction in early-onset intrauterine growth restriction. Am J Obstet Gynecol.
Comas M, Crispi F, Cruz-Martinez R, Martinez JM, Figueras F, Gratacós E.
2010 Jul;203(1):45.e1-7. Epub 2010 May 10. PubMed PMID: 20451892.
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Cardiac dysfunction and cell damage across clinical stages of severity in growth-restricted fetuses.
Crispi F, Hernandez-Andrade E, Pelsers MM, Plasencia W, Benavides-Serralde JA, Eixarch E, Le Noble F, Ahmed A, Glatz JF, Nicolaides KH, Gratacos E.
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Sep;199(3):254.e1-8.
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Does pre-eclampsia influence fetal cardiovascular function in early-onset intrauterine growth restriction?
Crispi F, Comas M, Hernández-Andrade E, Eixarch E, Gómez O, Figueras F, Gratacós E.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Oct 13.
Link PubMed
Hypoxia induces dilated cardiomyopathy in the chick embryo: mechanism, intervention, and long-term consequences.
Tintu A, Rouwet E, Verlohren S, Brinkmann J, Ahmad S, Crispi F, van Bilsen M,
Carmeliet P, Staff AC, Tjwa M, Cetin I, Gratacos E, Hernandez-Andrade E, Hofstra L, Jacobs M, Lamers WH, Morano I, Safak E, Ahmed A, le Noble F.. PLoS One. 2009;4(4):e5155.
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Fetal therapy
This research line aims to develop new techniques and methodologies to improve prediction of surgical results in conditions such as monochorionic twin pregnancies and congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
Our group is a member of Eurofoetus, the pioneer European research group and reference centre for these treatments
Monochorionic twin pregnancies
Selective intrauterine growth restriction in monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancies. Prenat Diagn.
Valsky DV, Eixarch E, Martinez JM, Gratacós E.
2010 Aug;30(8):719-26. PubMed PMID: 20661884.
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Prevalence and perinatal outcome of dichorionic and monochorionic twins with nuchal translucency above the 99(th) percentile and normal karyotype. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol.
Goncé A, Borrell A, Meler E, Arigita M, Martínez JM, Botet F, Sánchez A, Gratacós E.
2010 Jan;35(1):14-8. PubMed PMID: 20033999.
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Risk factors for neurodevelopment impairment in twin-twin transfusion syndrome treated with fetoscopic laser surgery.
Lopriore E, Ortibus E, Acosta-Rojas R, Le Cessie S, Middeldorp JM, Oepkes D,Gratacos E, Vandenbussche FP, Deprest J, Walther FJ, Lewi L.
Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Feb;113(2 Pt 1):361-6.
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Monochorionic twins with selective intrauterine growth restriction and intermittent absent or reversed end-diastolic flow (Type III): feasibility and perinatal outcome of fetoscopic placental laser coagulation.
Gratacós E, Antolin E, Lewi L, Martínez JM, Hernandez-Andrade E, Acosta-Rojas R, Enríquez G, Cabero L, Deprest J.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Jun;31(6):669-75.
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Clinical outcome and placental characteristics of monochorionic diamniotic twin pairs with early- and late-onset discordant growth.
Lewi L, Gucciardo L, Huber A, Jani J, Van Mieghem T, Doné E, Cannie M,Gratacós E, Diemert A, Hecher K, Lewi P, Deprest J.
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2008 Nov;199(5):511.e1-7
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Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Changes in Lung Tissue Perfusion in the Prediction of Survival in Fetuses with Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Treated with Fetal Endoscopic Tracheal Occlusion. Fetal Diagn Ther.
Cruz-Martínez R, Moreno-Alvarez O, Hernández-Andrade E, Castañón M, Martínez JM, Done E, Deprest J, Gratacós E.
2010 Mar 9. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 20215733.
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Contribution of intrapulmonary artery Doppler to improve prediction of survival in fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia treated with fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol.
Cruz-Martinez R, Moreno-Alvarez O, Hernandez-Andrade E, Castañon M, Done E, Martinez JM, Puerto B, Deprest J, Gratacos E.
2010 May;35(5):572-7. PubMed PMID: 20178111.
Link PubMed
Lung tissue perfusion in congenital diaphragmatic hernia and association with the lung-to-head ratio and intrapulmonary artery pulsed Doppler. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol.
Moreno-Alvarez O, Cruz-Martinez R, Hernandez-Andrade E, Done E, Gómez O, Deprest J, Gratacos E.
2010 May;35(5):578-82. PubMed PMID: 20178113.
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Prenatal prediction of neonatal morbidity in survivors with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a multicenter study.
Jani JC, Benachi A, Nicolaides KH, Allegaert K, Gratacós E, Mazkereth R, MatisJ, Tibboel D, Van Heijst A, Storme L, Rousseau V, Greenough A, Deprest JA; Antenatal-CDH-Registry group.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Jan;33(1):64-9.
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Severe diaphragmatic hernia treated by fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion.
Jani JC, Nicolaides KH, Gratacós E, Valencia CM, Doné E, Martinez JM,Gucciardo L, Cruz R, Deprest JA.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Sep;34(3):304-10.
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Changing perspectives on the perinatal management of isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia in Europe.
Deprest JA, Gratacos E, Nicolaides K, Done E, Van Mieghem T, Gucciardo L, Claus F, Debeer A, Allegaert K, Reiss I, Tibboel D.
Clin Perinatol. 2009 Jun;36(2):329-47,
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Perinatal infection.
This research line includes projects involve HIV and pregnancy, in the context of national and international collaborations, and investigate neonatal infection (perinatal and nosocomial infections, respiratory syncytial virus infection, etc).
Guidelines on CMV congenital infection.
Coll O, Benoist G, Ville Y, Weisman LE, Botet F, Anceschi MM, Greenough A,Gibbs RS, Carbonell-Estrany X; WAPM Perinatal Infections Working Group.
J Perinat Med. 2009;37(5):433-45.
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Prevalence and vertical transmission of Trypanosoma cruzi infection among pregnant Latin American women attending 2 maternity clinics in Barcelona, Spain
Muñoz J, Coll O, Juncosa T, Vergés M, del Pino M, Fumado V, Bosch J, Posada
EJ, Hernandez S, Fisa R, Boguña JM, Gállego M, Sanz S, Portús M, Gascón J.
Clin Infect Dis. 2009 Jun 15;48(12):1736-40.
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Perinatal abnormalities.
This research line includes projects in prematurity (chorioamnionitis, aggressive nutrition) maternal medical conditions (diabetes, autoimmune diseases) and neonatal respiratory illnesses (lung inflammation and bronchopulmonary dysplasia prevention).
The prognostic role of uterine artery Doppler investigation in patients with severe early-onset preeclampsia. Am J Obstet Gynecol.
Meler E, Figueras F, Bennasar M, Gomez O, Crispi F, Gratacos E.
2010 Jun;202(6):559.e1-4. Epub 2010 Mar 29. PubMed PMID: 20347432.
Link PubMed
The 'question mark' sign as a new ultrasound marker of tetralogy of Fallot in the fetus. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol.
Martínez J, Gómez O, Bennasar M, Olivella A, Crispi F, Puerto B, Gratacós E.
2010 Mar 4. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 20205151.
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Predictive value of combined amniotic fluid proteomic biomarkers and interleukin-6 in preterm labor with intact membranes.
Cobo T, Palacio M, Navarro-Sastre A, Ribes A, Bosch J, Filella X, Gratacós E.
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009 May;200(5):499.e1-6.
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Cervical length and gestational age at admission as predictors of intra-amniotic inflammation in preterm labor with intact membranes
Palacio M, Cobo T, Bosch J, Filella X, Navarro-Sastre A, Ribes A, Gratacós E.
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Oct;34(4):441-7
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Multiple courses of antenatal corticosteroids for preterm birth (MACS): a randomised controlled trial.
Murphy KE, Hannah ME, Willan AR, Hewson SA, Ohlsson A, Kelly EN, Matthews SG, Saigal S, Asztalos E, Ross S, Delisle MF, Amankwah K, Guselle P, Gafni A, Lee SK, Armson BA; MACS Collaborative Group.
Lancet. 2008 Dec 20;372(9656):2143-51.
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