Scientist profiles M-R

Education:

• M.Sc., 2002, biochemistry, Hebrew University, Israel
• MD, 2002, Hebrew University, Israel
• Specialist in obstetrics and gynecology, 2010, Rabin Medical Center, Israel
• Subspecialty in maternal fetal medicine, 2014, University of Toronto, Canada

Appointments and Affiliations:

• Program research director, DAN Women & Babies Program
• Staff physician, division of maternal fetal medicine, department of obstetrics and gynecology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Senior scientist, Evaluative Clinical Sciences, DAN Women & Babies Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute
• Professor, department of obstetrics and gynaecology, faculty of medicine, University of Toronto
• Waugh Family Chair in Twins Research
• Head of the Twins Research Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
• Head of the Twins Clinic at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Research Foci:

• Complications in twin pregnancies
• Fetal growth and placental disease
• Prediction and prevention of preterm birth
• Antenatal corticosteroids

Research Summary:

Twin pregnancies are about five times more likely to be complicated by premature birth, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and other pregnancy complications compared with singleton pregnancies. This, in turn, results in a considerable risk of death and illness for both mothers and infants.

Dr. Melamed is head of the Twins Research Centre at Sunnybrook. His research is focused mainly on improving the understanding of the mechanisms of pregnancy complications, fetal growth, and prediction and prevention of preterm birth in twin pregnancies. This work is supported by the Waugh Family Chair in Twins Research held by Dr. Melamed, and by a $1.5 million Canadian Institutes of Health Research Team Grant on noncommunicable diseases in obstetrics.

His research also focuses on placental disease and fetal growth. He uses various approaches including biochemical markers, noninvasive cardiac monitoring, ultrasound and Doppler studies, and placental pathology.

Selected Publications:

See current publications list at PubMed.

1. Melamed N, Ray JG, Hladunewich M, Cox B, Kingdom JC. Gestational hypertension and preeclampsia: are they the same disease? J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2014 Feb;36(7):642–7.
2. Melamed N, Ray JG, Shah PS, Berger H, Kingdom JC. Should we use customized fetal growth percentiles in urban Canada? J Obstet Gynaecol Can. 2014 Feb;36(2):164–70.
3. Melamed N, Hiersch L, Domniz N, Maresky A, Bardin R, Yogev Y. Predictive value of cervical length in women with threatened preterm labor. Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Dec;122(6):1279–87.
4. Melamed N, Ben-Haroush A, Meizner I, Mashiach R, Glezerman M, Yogev Y. Accuracy of sonographic weight estimation as a function of fetal sex. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2011 Jul;38(1):67–73.
5. Melamed N, Yogev Y, Glezerman M. Effect of fetal sex on pregnancy outcome in twin pregnancies. Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Nov;114(5):1085–92.

Related News and Stories:

• The Alliance makes its move to reduce high stillbirth and preterm birth rates: Network of partners joins forces to ensure more women in Ontario carry their babies to full term (SRI Magazine, 2018)
• How to make multiple pregnancies safer: Research team is making inroads on reducing the risks for women carrying twins (or even more babies) (SRI Magazine, 2018)
• Is pregnancy an option for women with kidney disease?: Yes, say researchers studying advanced technologies and fresh approaches for this group of aspiring moms (SRI Magazine, 2018)
• Smooth delivery: Summer student sees first-hand how research informs obstetrical care (July 10, 2017)
• CV: Dr. Nir Melamed: An in-depth Q&A (Aug. 2, 2016)
• Have gestational diabetes? Timing of delivery matters: Maternal-fetal specialists pinpoint which week is safest for baby (SRI Magazine, 2016)
• Maternal-fetal medicine: an inside look: Student’s research contributes to clinical practice (July 31, 2015)