Elisenda Eixarch

Bio: Elisenda Eixarch is an academic researcher from University of Barcelona. The author has contributed to research in topics: Gestational age & Medicine. The author has an hindex of 32, co-authored 152 publications receiving 4297 citations. Previous affiliations of Elisenda Eixarch include Imperial College London & Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona.

Longitudinal growth assessment for prediction of adverse perinatal outcome in fetuses suspected to be small-for-gestational age.

Abstract: Background Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome (APO). However, distinguishing this condition from smallness-for-gestational age remains elusive. A set of criteria has recently been proposed for such purpose, including the severity of smallness, Doppler parameters and growth velocity. Objectives To establish whether the use of growth velocity adds to Doppler evaluation in predicting APO among SGA-suspected fetuses. Methods A prospective cohort of consecutive singleton pregnancies with late (diagnosis > 32.0 weeks) SGA (estimated fetal weight [EFW] < 10th centile) was created. Longitudinal growth assessment was performed by calculation of the EFW z-velocity between diagnosis and last scan before delivery. The improvement in association and predictive performance for APO of EFW z-velocity was compared against standard criteria of FGR evaluated before delivery (EFW<3rd centile, abnormal uterine Doppler or abnormal cerebroplacental ratio). Result A total of 472 patients were prospectively evaluated for suspected SGA. Of them, 231 (48.9%) qualified as late FGR. Univariate analysis showed a significant trend towards higher frequency of EFW z-velocity in the lowest decile in pregnancies with APO (14.5% vs. 8.2%; p = 0.041). Nonetheless, the addition of z-velocity neither improved the association nor the prediction performance of standard criteria of FGR for the occurrence of APO. Conclusions Longitudinal assessment of fetal growth by means of z-velocity did not have any independent predictive value for adverse perinatal outcome when used in combination with Doppler in SGA-suspected fetuses.

BrainNet Viewer: a network visualization tool for human brain connectomics.

Abstract: The human brain is a complex system whose topological organization can be represented using connectomics. Recent studies have shown that human connectomes can be constructed using various neuroimaging technologies and further characterized using sophisticated analytic strategies, such as graph theory. These methods reveal the intriguing topological architectures of human brain networks in healthy populations and explore the changes throughout normal development and aging and under various pathological conditions. However, given the huge complexity of this methodology, toolboxes for graph-based network visualization are still lacking. Here, using MATLAB with a graphical user interface (GUI), we developed a graph-theoretical network visualization toolbox, called BrainNet Viewer, to illustrate human connectomes as ball-and-stick models. Within this toolbox, several combinations of defined files with connectome information can be loaded to display different combinations of brain surface, nodes and edges. In addition, display properties, such as the color and size of network elements or the layout of the figure, can be adjusted within a comprehensive but easy-to-use settings panel. Moreover, BrainNet Viewer draws the brain surface, nodes and edges in sequence and displays brain networks in multiple views, as required by the user. The figure can be manipulated with certain interaction functions to display more detailed information. Furthermore, the figures can be exported as commonly used image file formats or demonstration video for further use. BrainNet Viewer helps researchers to visualize brain networks in an easy, flexible and quick manner, and this software is freely available on the NITRC website (www.nitrc.org/projects/bnv/).

A systematic review and meta-analysis to revise the Fenton growth chart for preterm infants

Abstract: The aim of this study was to revise the 2003 Fenton Preterm Growth Chart, specifically to: a) harmonize the preterm growth chart with the new World Health Organization (WHO) Growth Standard, b) smooth the data between the preterm and WHO estimates, informed by the Preterm Multicentre Growth (PreM Growth) study while maintaining data integrity from 22 to 36 and at 50 weeks, and to c) re-scale the chart x-axis to actual age (rather than completed weeks) to support growth monitoring. Systematic review, meta-analysis, and growth chart development. We systematically searched published and unpublished literature to find population-based preterm size at birth measurement (weight, length, and/or head circumference) references, from developed countries with: Corrected gestational ages through infant assessment and/or statistical correction; Data percentiles as low as 24 weeks gestational age or lower; Sample with greater than 500 infants less than 30 weeks. Growth curves for males and females were produced using cubic splines to 50 weeks post menstrual age. LMS parameters (skew, median, and standard deviation) were calculated. Six large population-based surveys of size at preterm birth representing 3,986,456 births (34,639 births < 30 weeks) from countries Germany, United States, Italy, Australia, Scotland, and Canada were combined in meta-analyses. Smooth growth chart curves were developed, while ensuring close agreement with the data between 24 and 36 weeks and at 50 weeks. The revised sex-specific actual-age growth charts are based on the recommended growth goal for preterm infants, the fetus, followed by the term infant. These preterm growth charts, with the disjunction between these datasets smoothing informed by the international PreM Growth study, may support an improved transition of preterm infant growth monitoring to the WHO growth charts.

Consensus definition of fetal growth restriction: a Delphi procedure

Abstract: Objective To determine, by expert consensus, a definition for early and late fetal growth restriction (FGR) through a Delphi procedure. Method A Delphi survey was conducted among an international panel of experts on FGR. Panel members were provided with 18 literature-based parameters for defining FGR and were asked to rate the importance of these parameters for the diagnosis of both early and late FGR on a 5-point Likert scale. Parameters were described as solitary parameters (parameters that are sufficient to diagnose FGR, even if all other parameters are normal) and contributory parameters (parameters that require other abnormal parameter(s) to be present for the diagnosis of FGR). Consensus was sought to determine the cut-off values for accepted parameters. Results A total of 106 experts were approached, of whom 56 agreed to participate and entered the first round, and 45 (80%) completed all four rounds. For early FGR ( 95th centile in either the UA or uterine artery) were agreed upon. For late FGR (≥ 32 weeks), two solitary parameters (AC or EFW two quartiles on growth charts and cerebroplacental ratio 95th centile) were defined. Conclusion Consensus-based definitions for early and late FGR, as well as cut-off values for parameters involved, were agreed upon by a panel of experts. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.