Maria Ouzounidou

Dr. Maria Ouzounidou

Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloníki, Kentrikí Makedonía, Greece

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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29 May 2025 in Biology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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DNDespoina Nteli
Despoina Nteli
MNMaria Nteli
Maria Nteli
KKKonstantinos Konstantinidis
Konstantinos Konstantinidis
MOMaria Ouzounidou
Maria Ouzounidou
Paschalis TheotokisPaschalis Theotokis
Paschalis Theotokis
SMSoultana Meditskou
Soultana Meditskou
Congenital malformations constitute a major public health issue. Nonetheless, Greece does not participate in the European network of congenital anomalies. To examine the epidemiology of congenital abnormalities and investigate possible factors associated with their development, autopsies were performed on 649 fetuses referred from three healthcare facilities in Thessaloniki during 1992–2008. Adequate statistical analysis methods were implemented. Birth defects were found in 256 fetuses (39.5%)—primarily related to the musculoskeletal (17.3%), nervous (14.5%), cardiovascular (12.5%) and urinary (10.4%) systems. A statistically significant positive correlation (p-values < 0.05) emerged between the presence of a congenital defect and intrauterine growth restriction, inability to identify the fetus’ sex, iatrogenic abortion, nuchal oedema and a single umbilical artery. An inverse association (p-values < 0.05) was deduced with the gestational age, twin pregnancy, stillbirth, chorioamnionitis, infarction and intervillous thrombus of the placenta and nuchal cord. In multivariable analysis, the relationship remained significant (p-values < 0.05) between the development of birth defects and iatrogenic abortion, nuchal oedema, presence of a single umbilical artery, chorioamnionitis, infarction of the placenta and nuchal cord. ROC curve analysis indicated area under the curve = 0.800, 95% confidence interval = 0.76–0.84, p-value = 0.000. Our study revealed the epidemiology of congenital anomalies in Greece, confirming the relationship between various factors and birth defect occurrence.