Advancements in Maternal-Fetal Health

Fetal medicine, or maternal-fetal medicine (MMF), is a branch of modern medicine dedicated to the health and well-being of the fetus and mother during pregnancy, focusing on the diagnosis and management of complications related to prenatal development. Thanks to extensive research, advanced technologies, and updated medical expertise, it is now possible to monitor, diagnose, and, if necessary, intervene promptly to manage diseases that may arise before, during, and immediately after pregnancy. Pioneer and father of fetal medicine, among the world’s leading authorities in the field, inventor, among others, of fetal surgery, Prof. Kypros Nicolaides, director of the Harris Birthright Centre for Fetal Medicine (the first prenatal diagnosis unit in the UK) and the Fetal Medicine Foundation, participated, via direct link from London, in the Update in Fetal Medicine, held in Naples at the EuTylia Academy on March 28, attended by 170 Italian and foreign gynecological doctors. An exclusive event during which Prof. Nicolaides, along with other internationally renowned experts, took stock of the evolution of prenatal diagnosis in recent years and how to address emerging issues in Fetal Medicine. An extraordinary and exceptional event, given Prof. Nicolaides’ very few appearances in Italy, where he focused on the innovative third-trimester screening strategy. The 36-week ultrasound represents a fundamental diagnostic checkpoint that should be routinely established. Performed at this stage of gestation, it allows for the early diagnosis of term fetal growth disorders, such as macrosomia or fetal growth restriction, to define the most appropriate timing and mode of delivery; predict term preeclampsia, a severe hypertensive disorder that can endanger both mother and fetus, to stratify risk and choose the most appropriate management; identify fetal structural anomalies with late manifestations; assess non-cephalic presentations for potential manual fetal version planning; predict possible adverse obstetric outcomes at delivery. Thanks to the remarkable contribution in research and teaching by Prof. Nicolaides, doctors involved in fetal medicine today have access to new screening, diagnosis, and treatment methods for the fetus and mother. Professor Nicolaides is known for introducing revolutionary screening techniques, such as the fetal nuchal translucency test to assess the risk of Down syndrome and for developing methods to predict preterm birth and preeclampsia. His pioneering fetal surgeries, including treatments for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and diaphragmatic hernia, have saved numerous lives. He is considered a visionary in the scientific world, globally, who has profoundly shaped Fetal Medicine, transforming and improving the lives of fetuses worldwide. Additionally, the professor’s passion for training and mentoring future medical professionals has had a lasting impact on countless students and professionals worldwide. His research has been cited over 170,000 times, and his H-index, the highest among all obstetricians and gynecologists worldwide, exceeds 200, being cited in many international works and guidelines, testifying to the significance, innovation, and reliability that his studies have represented for years. Other presentations of the day focused on first-trimester screening with Dr. Nicola Volpe, Medical Director, Specialist in Obstetrics, Gynecology, and expert in Fetal Medicine at the Ospedale di Venere in Bari, active member of SIEOG, Italian Society of Obstetric and Gynecological Ultrasound, and on all current topics of aneuploidy screening through NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Test), also known as the “fetal DNA test,” thanks to Prof. Maria del Mar Gil, Director of the Fetal Medicine and Surgery Unit at the La Paz University Hospital in Madrid, an opinion leader in fetal DNA topics, boasting numerous publications. Twin pregnancy was also discussed, with attention to anomaly screening, diagnosis, and management in the first trimester, with Prof. Petya Chaveeva, Director of the Fetal Medicine and Surgery Unit at the Dr Shterev Hospital in Sofia, recognized expert in twin pregnancies and fetal surgeon who has performed numerous in-utero procedures. Dr. Floriana Carbone, Director of the Pelvic Unit at the Policlinico di Milano, finally illustrated the latest updates on preeclampsia screening based on her previous experience as site coordinator of the international multicenter ASPRE study, at the Fetal Medicine and Surgery Unit. “It was an immense honor for us to welcome Prof. Nicolaides and listen to his masterful lecture, which I am sure will inspire all the gynecologists who had the great opportunity to participate in such an exclusive event,” says Dr. Vito Esposito, CEO of EuTylia. “I personally thank him, Dr. Carbone, Prof. Gil, Prof. Chaveeva, and Dr. Volpe for this unique update, which confirms the great commitment of these excellent experts, and ours, in training future professionals, with the common goal of making pregnancy and childbirth increasingly safe for the newborn and the mother.” EuTylia Academy was established in July 2021, by E.Vitalgroup srl, a pharmaceutical company, with the aim of offering gynecologists and midwives high-level training and professional development courses, focused on the prevention and care of women’s health. This innovative project is hosted at the company’s headquarters in Pozzuoli, in the province of Naples, in a dedicated conference room, not outsourced, the Sala Mariella, recently expanded, with 170 seats available, a peculiarity in the pharmaceutical world. EuTylia stands out for the wide range of products designed and created for women’s health, to accompany and support them in all the most important moments of their lives.

 

Fonte: Il Mattino di Napoli