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Academic Affiliations
  • Head of the Unit of Perinatal Epidemiology, Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses
Education & Training
  • Physician and Surgeon, University of Valle, Cali, Colombia
  • Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valle, Cali, Colombia
  • Perinatal Epidemiologist, Centro Rosarino de Estudios Perinatales, Rosario, Argentina
  • Master of Public Health, University of Valle, Cali, Colombia
  • PhD in Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain
      Research Accomplishments
      • Demonstrated that kangaroo mother care, defined as skin-to-skin contact between a mother and her newborn, frequent and exclusive or nearly exclusive breastfeeding, and early discharge from the hospital reduces morbidity and mortality in low-birthweight and premature infants.
      • Demonstrated that vaginal progesterone administration to asymptomatic women with a singleton or twin gestation and a mid-trimester sonographic short cervix reduces the risk of preterm birth and improves perinatal outcomes.
      • Showed that vaginal progesterone and cervical cerclage are equally effective for preventing preterm birth and improving perinatal outcomes in women with a singleton gestation, previous spontaneous preterm birth, and a mid-trimester sonographic short cervix.
      • Demonstrated that magnesium sulfate administration to women at risk of preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation reduces the risk of cerebral palsy in their offspring.
      • Reported that a single measurement of cervical length with transvaginal ultrasound before 25 weeks of gestation is a good test to predict preterm birth in asymptomatic women with a twin gestation.
      • Showed that nifedipine meets most criteria to be considered the tocolytic agent of choice.
      • Reported that uterine balloon tamponade devices have a high success rate for treating severe postpartum hemorrhage, mainly that due to uterine atony and placenta previa.
      • Developed an evidence-based contemporary approach for the management of clinical chorioamnionitis.
      • Demonstrated that both short (<18 months) and long (≥60 months) interpregnancy intervals are significantly associated with increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes and that the optimal interpregnancy interval to improve the health of both mother and the next infant is approximately 2 to 5 years.
      • Reported for the first time that adolescent mothers under 16 years were 4 times more likely to die than mothers in their early twenties.
      • Demonstrated for the first time that both urinary tract infection and periodontal disease during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia.
      • Demonstrated for the first time that cigarette smoking during pregnancy is associated with a decreased risk of preeclampsia.
      Awards and Recognitions
      • Outstanding Reviewer and Consultant of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2019)
      • Extraordinary Doctorate Award, University of Alcalá, Madrid, Spain (2015)
      • Best Postgraduate Thesis in Public Health in Latin America, Pan American Health Organization, Washington DC (2001)
      Research Interests
      • Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials and non-randomized studies in obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine, mainly in the field of the “Great Obstetrical Syndromes”.
      • Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies on the predictive/diagnostic accuracy of tests in obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine, mainly in the field of the “Great Obstetrical Syndromes”.
      • Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of observational studies in obstetrics and maternal-fetal medicine, mainly in the field of the “Great Obstetrical Syndromes.”
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