RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
MATERNITY & NEWBORN HEALTH
The maternal fetal medicine (MFM) specialists at Riley Children’s Health offer comprehensive high-risk pregnancy consultation for women with medical and obstetrical issues, including preexisting diabetes, chronic high blood pressure, preeclampsia, preterm labor and other complex medical conditions that affect pregnancy. MATERNAL FETAL MEDICINE
Intensive glycemic targets in overweight and obese women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A multicenter randomized trial (iGDM trial) – National Institutes of Health-funded study evaluating the impact of standard versus intensive glucose targets in overweight/obese women with GDM at four clinical sites in the U.S. Gastroschisis Outcomes of Delivery (GOOD) study – Multicenter randomized clinical trial evaluating timing of delivery in pregnancies complicated by gastroschisis SERENE study – Clinical trial designed to assess the safety and effectiveness of the KOKO™ device in treating primary abnormal postpartum uterine bleeding or hemorrhage AZALEA trial – Global Phase III study evaluating nipocalimab as a novel therapy to prevent severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn, and reduce the need for invasive intrauterine transfusions RETAIN study – Multicenter randomized clincial trial evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the Novocuff Cervical Control System™ in retaining amniotic fluid and improving latency in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes
Maternal Fetal Medicine Volume: 2023 – 2025 New patient appointments 4,652 5,098 5,377 2023 2024 2025 All provider appointments 11,870 12,908 13,641 2023 2024 2025 Ultrasounds 10,049 10,664 11,276 2023 2024 2025 Genetic counseling encounters 1,654 1,594 1,744 2023 2024 2025
Specialized programs
TOP DISTINCTIONS
Fetal Center ■ Multidisciplinary counseling for pregnancies complicated by fetal health concerns diagnosed prior to delivery Diabetes in Pregnancy Program ■ Comprehensive care for women with diabetes, including management with continuous glucose monitoring and insulin pumps, and an on-site diabetes educator
■ Largest group of MFM specialists in Indiana ■ Partner in the Fetal Center at Riley Children’s Health , which supports management of high- risk or complex fetal conditions ■ One of the few health systems in the Midwest to offer laser treatment for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and fetal repair of myelomeningocele ■ Maternal Recovery Program provides opioid replacement therapy, counseling and group prenatal care ■ Education and training of four fellows through an ACGME- accredited maternal fetal medicine fellowship In 2025 Riley MFM specialists collaborated with pediatric neurosurgeons to perform Indiana’s first successful fetal repair of myelomeningocele. The team used a leading-edge, mini-laparotomy/percutaneous fetoscopic approach to complete the repair. > Learn more. The maternal fetal medicine ultrasound program at Riley Children’s is accredited by the Association for Medical Ultrasound .
Maternal Cardiac Care Program ■ Collaboration with cardiologists to provide on-site care throughout pregnancy for maternal patients with cardiac disease Maternal Recovery Program ■ Social work, mental healthcare, counseling, opiate replacement therapy and continuity of care in the first year postpartum Renal Disease in Pregnancy Program ■ Collaboration with nephrologists to deliver specialized care for women with renal disease complicating pregnancy
NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS
American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology: March 2026 Antenatal corticosteroid administration in periviable twin pregnancies between 22 and 25 weeks: A nationwide-based study Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology: December 2025 Selective fetal growth restriction in monochorionic twins: Updates and new directions American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology: November 2025 Diagnostic accuracy of cell-free DNA for the determination of fetal red blood cell antigen genotype: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Leading-edge diagnosis and treatment ■ Fetal surgery program, including laser treatment for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, insertion of bladder and chest shunts, therapy for amniotic band syndrome and myelomeningocele repair using mini- laparotomy/percutaneous fetoscopic approach ■ Transcervical and transabdominal cerclage for women with history of preterm birth ■ Percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling and intrauterine transfusion for pregnancies impacted by anemia ■ Comprehensive care for women with cervical and cesarean scar ectopic pregnancies, including fertility-preserving options, if desired ■ Collaboration with gyn-oncology physicians to safely deliver women with placenta accreta spectrum disorders
American Journal of Perinatology: April 2026 Association of early pregnancy HbA1c levels with perinatal and postpartum outcomes in Type 2 diabetes American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology MFM: January 2026 Implementation of the SLOE for MFM applications -- insights from its first year of practice
DIVISION CHIEF Christina M. Scifres, MD Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IU School of Medicine > Connect with Dr. Scifres on Doximity.
52 research publications in 2025
17 board certified/board eligible physicians
See full team member list >
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