Research & Publications

SMFM 2026 Abstracts

• Adverse Obstetric and Neonatal Outcomes in Dichorionic Twins: Does Zygosity Play a Role?
• Predictors of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Among Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Aspirin Prescribing and Adherence Patterns for Pregnant Patients in a Safety-Net System
• Operative Vaginal Delivery Proficiency Among Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellow Physicians
• Discharge on Nifedipine Associated with Lower Self-Reported Systolic Blood Pressure Two Weeks Postpartum
• Impact of Specialized Cardiac Care Proximity on Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes in Fetal Heart Disease
• Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury Repair Proficiency Among Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellow Physician
• Discharge on Labetalol Lowers 6-Week Postpartum Diastolic Blood Pressure Compared to Nifedipine
• Phenotypic Differences in Risk Factors and Pregnancy Outcomes of Gestational Diabetes in the Asian-American Diaspora
• Mean glucose and standard deviation on continuous glucose monitoring for T1D and perinatal outcomes
• Standardized Postpartum Blood Pressure Protocol and Lower Rates of Persistent Hypertension at 6 Weeks Postpartum
• The Impact of Anemia on Fetal Growth Trajectory in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Peripartum cardiomyopathy: impact of delivery mode on severe maternal morbidity and cardiopulmonary outcomes
• Rising Acute Myocardial Infarction in Pregnancy: National Trends, Risk Factors, and Maternal Health Disparities
• Impact of BMI Classifications and Obesity Definitions on Perinatal Outcomes Among Asian American Pregnant Patients
• The First Two Seasons of Maternal RSV Immunization: Patients’ Acceptance, Satisfaction, and Costs
• Revisiting Nuchal Translucency Thresholds for Predicting Fetal Anomalies in Low Risk Cell-Free DNA
• Proteomic Profile of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Highlighting Dysregulation and Paracrine Effects Adjacent to Cesarean Scar
• Uterine Collagen Gradients for Placenta Accreta Prevention Utilizing Second Harmonic Imaging Microscopy

SMFM 2025 Abstract Presentations

• Randomized Controlled Trial of Detemir vs NPH in Gestational and Type 2 Diabetes in Pregnancy: DETERMINE Study
• Cost Effectiveness of Universal Screening for Measles Immunity in Pregnancy
• Reproductive Planning in Kidney Disease: Survey of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Preconception Counseling
• Risk Factors for Persistent Hypertension Requiring Anti-Hypertensive Medications Beyond 6 Weeks Postpartum
• Risk Factors for Postpartum Discharge on Anti-Hypertensive Medication with Lower Blood Pressure Targets
• Nifedipine is Associated with Improved Postpartum Hypertension Outcomes Compared to Labetalol
• Characteristics Associated with Compliance Within a Postpartum Hypertension Remote Monitoring System
• Collagen's Critical Role in Uterine Structure and Function and Implications in Placenta Accreta Spectrum
• Implementation of a Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plan Improves Neonatal Outcomes in Prenatally Suspected Congenital Heart Disease

Select listing of recent publications:

• Continuous glucose monitoring in pregnancies with type 1 diabetes: small increases in time-in-range improve maternal and perinatal outcomes
• Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and their association with oxidative stress among pregnant women in Los Angeles
• Fetal and neonatal outcomes after "atypical findings" on cell-free fetal DNA screening
• Association of ischemic placental disease in a Southern California Birth Cohort and PM_2.5 chemical species and oxidative potential markers
• Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Consult Series #69: Hepatitis B in pregnancy: updated guidelines
• Influenza in Pregnancy: Prevention and Treatment
• Infant Outcomes Following Maternal Infection with SARS-CoV-2: First Report from the PRIORITY Study
• Reproductive Health and Liver Disease: Practice Guidance by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases
• COVID-19 Testing, Personal Protective Equipment, and Staffing Strategies Vary at Obstetrics Centers across the Country
• Clinical Presentation of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People
• Clinical guidance and perinatal care in the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Obstetrical Unit Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: OUR Study
• Rates of Cesarean Conversion and Associated Predictors and Outcomes in Planned Vaginal Twin Deliveries
• Exome Sequencing for Prenatal Diagnosis in Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis
• Preferences and comfort of maternal fetal medicine fellows in the United States with operative vaginal deliveries(Link is external) (Link opens in new window)
• Novel use of a social-media-based survey to detect regional differences in management of monochorionic-diamniotic twins
• Transverse versus vertical skin incision for planned cesarean hysterectomy: does it matter?
• Central hemodynamics are associated with fetal outcomes in pregnancies of advanced maternal age
• Gottesfeld-Hohler Memorial Foundation Risk Assessment for Early-Onset Preeclampsia in the United States: Think Tank Summary
• High-Output Heart Failure From Growth of Vascular Malformations in Multiple Gestation Pregnancy
• Fetal cardiac rhabdomyomas treated with maternal sirolimus
• Assessing the multidisciplinary team approaches to placenta accreta spectrum across five institutions within the University of California fetal Consortium (UCfC)(Link is external) (Link opens in new window)
• Forceps-assisted vaginal delivery: the landscape of obstetrics and gynecology resident training
• Nonimmune hydrops fetalis: identifying the underlying genetic etiology
• A new biometric: In utero growth curves for metacarpal and phalangeal lengths reveal an embryonic patterning ratio
• Identification of novel PIEZO1 variants using prenatal exome sequencing and correlation to ultrasound and autopsy findings of recurrent hydrops fetalis

Our fellows are actively involved in research in multiple modalities, including clinical, epidemiology, basic science, and translational research. Under the supervision of our MFM faculty and the resources available from the broader UCLA community, the fellows have a track record of productivity and academic advancement.

SMFM 2024 Abstract Presentations:

1. Abstract #523: Fetal and Neonatal Outcomes after “Atypical Finding for Sex Chromosomes” on Cell-Free Fetal DNA Screening
2. Abstract #524: Factors Affecting Success of Vaginal Delivery in Nulliparous Patients Receiving Magnesium Sulfate During Labor Induction
3. Abstract #764: Optimizing Glucose Control and User Satisfaction with a Diabetes in Pregnancy Order Set Algorithm
4. Abstract #1085: Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring for Postpartum Hypertension: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
5. Abstract #1084: Physician and Hospital Characteristics Associated with Vaginal Delivery in Nulliparous Patients Receiving Magnesium Sulfate

SMFM 2023 Abstract Presentations:

1. Abstract #218: Preeclampsia in kidney transplant recipients during pregnancy and its impact on graft survival
2. Abstract #219: Pregnancies in heart transplant recipients: the impact of preeclampsia on pregnancy outcomes and graft loss
3. Abstract #295: Adolescent pregnancies between 2006-2019: Temporal trends, risk factors and adverse pregnancy outcomes
4. Abstract #523: Fetal and Neonatal Outcomes after “Atypical Finding for Sex Chromosomes” on Cell-Free Fetal DNA Screening
5. Abstract #524: Factors Affecting Success of Vaginal Delivery in Nulliparous Patients Receiving Magnesium Sulfate During Labor Induction
6. Abstract #764: Optimizing Glucose Control and User Satisfaction with a Diabetes in Pregnancy Order Set Algorithm
7. Abstract #827: Outcomes of Adolescent Pregnancies with Diabetes
8. Abstract #1084: Physician and Hospital Characteristics Associated with Vaginal Delivery in Nulliparous Patients Receiving Magnesium Sulfate
9. Abstract #1085: Remote Blood Pressure Monitoring for Postpartum Hypertension: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

SMFM 2022 Abstract Presentations:

1. Abstract #38: Maternal immune profiles of abnormal prenatal ultrasonographic findings following SARS-CoV-2 infection
2. Abstract #70: Cell-free DNA screening for trisomy 21 in twin pregnancy: a large multicenter cohort study
3. Abstract #252: Intention to receive COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
4. Abstract #274: Association of prenatal ultrasonographic findings with neonatal outcomes in pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection
5. Abstract #677: Factors that affect cell-free DNA fetal fraction in twin gestations
6. Abstract #693: Maternal Serum miRNAs as Biomarkers for Abnormal Placentation
7. Abstract #943: Severe COVID-19 in pregnancy has a distinct metabolomic profile which defines clinical outcomes
8. Abstract #1163: Single-Cell Analysis of Placenta Accreta Spectrum Reveals Functionally Distinct Cell Populations

SMFM 2021 Abstract Presentations:

1. Role for pre-procedure genetic counseling in pregnancies interrupted for fetal anomalies 
2. Randomized Control Trial of Postpartum Visits at 2 weeks and 6 weeks 
3. Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scores and Postpartum Healthcare Utilization 
4. Association between Simplified Bishop Score after cervical ripening and delivery outcom
5. Evaluating Standard of Care in a Reduced Prenatal Care Model in the COVID-19 Pandemic
6. Discordant Congenital Heart Defects in Monochorionic Twins: Risk Factors and Proposed Pathophysiology 
7. Regional heterogeneity in ultrasound and procedural training in maternal-fetal medicine fellowship: a cross-sectional survey
8. Timing of Delivery and Associated Outcomes in Pregnancies Complicated by Maternal Congenital Heart Disease 
9. B-type Natriuretic Peptide as a Predictor of Hypertensive Disease of Pregnancy in Maternal Cardiac Disease  

Society for Reproductive Investigation 2020 Presentations:

1. Pregnancy and Delivery Outcomes in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: A Modern Cohort
2. Maternal Urinary Metabolites in the Latter Half of Pregnancy Predict Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
3. Cell-free DNA Methylation and Transcriptomic Signature Prediction of Pregnancies with Adverse Outcomes
4. Gestational Diabetes Perturbs Energy Metabolism in Early Pregnancy
5. Maternal Urinary Metabolites in Early Pregnancy Predict Gestational Diabetes
6. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Mode of Delivery During Labor Induction

SMFM 2020 Abstract Presentations:

1. Abstract #207: Right Ventricular Strain in Fetal Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome: Quantitating Function in the Dominant Chamber 
2. Abstract #215: An international chorionic villus sampling training program in ongoing-pregnancies with demonstrable outcomes: a survey study
3. Abstract #237: Separating True from  False-Positive Fetuses With Coarctation of the Aorta Using Ventricular Speckle Tracking Analysis
4. Abstract #468: Twin Vaginal Deliveries in Labor Rooms: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
5. Abstract #617: A Standardized Clinical Assessment and Management Plan (SCAMP) reduces non-indicated cesarean deliveries in gastroschisis-affected pregnancies
6. Abstract #694: Middle cerebral artery Dopplers and adverse neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with Zika virus infection
7. Abstract #907: Multi-institutional practice patterns in fetal CHD following a standardized clinical assessment and management plan
8. Abstract #1032: Accuracy of three-dimensional automated ultrasound imaging of the fetal brain