Àfrica Pertierra Cortada

Dr. Àfrica Pertierra Cortada

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Representative Publications

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13 September 2020 in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology
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Journal Article
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FRF. M. Russo
F. M. Russo
ACAnne Gael Cordier
Anne Gael Cordier
DBDavid Basurto
David Basurto
LSLaura Salazar
Laura Salazar
ELE. Litwinska
E. Litwinska
JDJan Deprest
Jan Deprest

20 July 2022 in Prenatal Diagnosis
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Journal Article
Closed access
DBDavid Basurto
David Basurto
FRFrancesca Maria Russo
Francesca Maria Russo
IPIoannis Papastefanou
Ioannis Papastefanou
EBEmma Bredaki
Emma Bredaki
Karel AllegaertKarel Allegaert
Karel Allegaert
JDJan Deprest
Jan Deprest

5 May 2023 in European Journal of Pediatrics
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Journal Article
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ÀCÀfrica Pertierra Cortada
Àfrica Pertierra Cortada
JCJordi Clotet Caba
Jordi Clotet Caba
SHStephanie Hadley
Stephanie Hadley
JBJoan Sabrià Bach
Joan Sabrià Bach
MSMartin Iriondo Sanz
Martin Iriondo Sanz
MCMarta Camprubí Camprubí
Marta Camprubí Camprubí

15 November 2025 in Children
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ARAnna Rojas Roig
Anna Rojas Roig
EOEduardo Costa Félix de Oliveira
Eduardo Costa Félix de Oliveira
CBCristina Borrás-Novell
Cristina Borrás-Novell
AMAnna Álvarez Martínez
Anna Álvarez Martínez
AGAna Espinosa Gimenez
Ana Espinosa Gimenez
MAMiguel Alsina
Miguel Alsina
Neonatal purpura fulminans is a rare and challenging diagnosis due to its resemblance to other necrotizing skin conditions and the immature coagulation system in newborns. Early multidisciplinary intervention is key. We present the case of an extremely premature infant, born at 24 + 3 weeks’ gestation and weighing 520 g. Clinical evolution, diagnostic approach, and therapeutic strategies are described. By day 5, the infant developed hemorrhagic-necrotic skin lesions. Diagnosis of purpura fulminans led to broad-spectrum antibiotics, anticoagulation, supportive care, and surgery. Despite complications such as osteomyelitis and scarring, the patient’s condition improved. Genetic testing ruled out congenital protein C/S deficiency, suggesting an infectious etiology. Therapeutic decisions were guided by ethical considerations, prioritizing family-centered care and patient comfort. This case adds to the limited literature on purpura fulminans in preterm infants and, to our knowledge, represents the smallest patient reported to date.

1 November 2014 in Anales de Pediatría (English Edition)
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Journal Article
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ÀCÀfrica Pertierra Cortada
Àfrica Pertierra Cortada
PGP. Acevedo González
P. Acevedo González
VCV. Bosch Canto
V. Bosch Canto
JFJ.C. Ordaz Favila
J.C. Ordaz Favila
JEJ.C. Juárez Echenique
J.C. Juárez Echenique

15 October 2026 in Children
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Journal Article
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ÀCÀfrica Pertierra Cortada
Àfrica Pertierra Cortada
CCCristina Carrasco Carrasco
Cristina Carrasco Carrasco
Background/Objectives: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains one of the most challenging conditions in neonatal critical care. Despite advances in prenatal assessment and neonatal management, substantial uncertainty persists regarding ECMO selection, mode and duration of support, and timing of diaphragmatic repair. This review summarizes the available evidence and critically examines the major unresolved questions in the management of infants with CDH requiring ECMO. Methods: A narrative review was conducted based on a literature search in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library for studies published between June 2005 and June 2026. Additional relevant publications were identified through reference screening, and selected foundational studies predating the search period were included when appropriate. Prospective and retrospective studies, registry-based analyses, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and relevant consensus statements were considered. Evidence was narratively synthesized, with particular attention to disease severity, methodological limitations, and survivor bias. Results: Available evidence highlights substantial heterogeneity in disease severity and management. Prenatal and postnatal markers aid risk stratification, but no single parameter reliably predicts ECMO requirement or defines the optimal management strategy. To date, no clear survival advantage has been demonstrated for either veno-arterial or veno-venous ECMO, although veno-arterial ECMO remains the predominant mode of support in most centers; mode selection should therefore be individualized according to cardiopulmonary physiology, patient characteristics, anatomy, and institutional expertise. Surgical timing remains particularly controversial. While repair after ECMO decannulation has been associated with favorable outcomes, recent observational analyses suggest that early repair during ECMO may be beneficial in selected patients, although the optimal timing remains uncertain. Prolonged ECMO may provide additional time for pulmonary and cardiovascular recovery, although this potential benefit must be weighed against the cumulative morbidity of prolonged support. Conclusions: Management should be individualized according to disease severity, clinical trajectory, cardiopulmonary recovery, and institutional expertise. Current evidence does not support a universal strategy for ECMO initiation, mode, surgical timing, or duration. Prospective multicenter studies using standardized definitions and adequately accounting for disease severity are needed to reduce practice variation and better define optimal management.