Profile photo Mireille Bekker

Mireille Bekker

Full Professor

Strategic program(s):

Biography

Biography

 

Mireille Bekker completed her training in Medicine at the VU Medical Center  in Amsterdam and subsequently obtained her MD in 2002. She performed research on the pathofysiology of the increased nuchal translucency in several mouse models and human fetuses. Her research focussed on fetal cardiovascular and lymphatic development. During her research she worked at the department of Anatomy and Embryology of the Leiden University Center in Leiden and the department of obstetrics in the VU Medical Center. She was awarded her PhD in 2007. She started her training to become a gynecologist in 2005 and became a senior specialist registrar Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2011. During her clinical training years she continued to work on her research regarding the development of cardiovascular and lymphatic development together with the departments of Anatomy and Embryology of the Academic Medical Center and Immunology of the VU Medical Center. This was rewarded by the PhD thesis of Yolande de Mooij in 2011. From 2011 till 2014 she performed a fellowship Perinatology in the VU Medical Center and Radboud University Center in Nijmegen. Since june 2015 she works in the University Medical Center of Utrecht as a gynaecologist-perinatologist.

 

Her current research focuses on intrauterine fetal development and long term-outcomes; prenatal screening, diagnosis and therapy (ultrasound/MRI/genetic testing); genetic disorders and innovation &technologies in obstetric health care.

Research groups

Congenital heart disease

Research aim

To improve long term cardiovascular and neurodevelopmental outcome in patients with severe congenital heart disease.
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Perinatal neuroimaging & neuromonitoring

Research aim

We use longitudinal fetal and neonatal neuroimaging and neuromonitoring to study brain development and function, model brain diseases, and improve long term outcome in high-risk infants.
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Congenital esophageal and airway team utrecht

Research aim

Our research strives to improve outcomes for Esophageal Atresia patients, reducing morbidity and enhancing quality of life, while developing strategies for long-term improvement, shaping a brighter future.
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Perinatal surgery & brain damage

Research aim

Our mission is to unravel the impact of neonatal surgery, as well for congenital heart defects as non-cardiac anomalies on brain injury, development and long-term impairments to develop strategies to improve long-term outcome shaping a better future.
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Recent publications

Home-telemonitoring of fetal and maternal condition in complicated pregnancies S S Kariman, I Bax, M Depmann, A Franx, J F M van den Heuvel, M N Bekker
European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 2026, vol. 321
Dedicated First-Trimester Anomaly Scan in a National Prenatal Screening Program and Timing of Diagnosis Kim Bronsgeest, Eline E.R. Lust, Lidewij Henneman, Neeltje Crombag, Caterina M. Bilardo, Robert Jan H. Galjaard, Esther Sikkel, Nan van Geloven, Audrey B.C. Coumans, Ayten Elvan-Taşpınar, Sander Galjaard, Attie T.J.I. Go, Elisabeth van Leeuwen, Gwendolyn T.R. Manten, Eva Pajkrt, Mireille N. Bekker, Monique C. Haak, Eline S. van den Akker, Marcel van Alphen, Jelle H. Baalman, Babette A.M. Braams-Lisman, Addy P. Drogtrop, Katja de Graaff, Anjoke J.M. Huisjes, Marloes E. van Huizen, Piet Hummel, Els A.P. de Jong, Ineke Krabbendam, Simone Lunshof, Marinka S. Post, Robbert J.P. Rijnders, Eva Stekkinger, Floortje Vlemmix, Tatjana Vogelvang, Karlijn C. Vollebregt, Sabina de Weerd, Lia Wijnberger, Wim J. van Wijngaarden,
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2026, vol. 133, p.1373-1380
Preferences of Pregnant Women and Healthcare Professionals on First-Trimester Ultrasound Screening for Fetal Anomalies Eline E.R. Lust, Kim Bronsgeest, Ian Smith, Lidewij Henneman, Neeltje M.T.H. Crombag, Caterina M. Bilardo, Robert Jan H. Galjaard, Esther Sikkel, Mireille N. Bekker, Monique C. Haak
Prenatal Diagnosis, 2026, vol. 46, p.523-532
Deep learning assessment of fetal brain maturation on 3D ultrasound volumes in early-onset fetal growth restriction L Meijerink, M Wyburd, A I L Namburete, T Alderliesten, F Groenendaal, M Benders, F Terstappen, M N Bekker
Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2026, vol. 67, p.341-349
Head to head Inge M van Ooijen, Gaby van Iersel, Lotte Meijerink, Jalmar Teeuw, Elise Turk, Maaike Nijman, Daniel Cromb, Alena Uus, Serena Counsell, Mireille N Bekker, Maria Luisa Tataranno, Hilleke E Hulshoff Pol, Sonja M C de Zwarte, Manon J N L Benders
NeuroImage, 2025, vol. 324
Safety and impact of self-monitoring blood pressure through a digital platform in high-risk pregnancies in 11 hospitals Shinta L Moes, Martine Depmann, Ingelin Kvamme, Ewoud Schuit, Elles In 't Anker, Jacques Dirken, Leonoor van Eerden, Arie Franx, Sanne Gordijn, Roel de Heus, Steven Koenen, Flip van der Made, Lindy Santegoets, Marc Spaanderman, A Titia Lely, Mireille N Bekker
Pregnancy Hypertension, 2025, vol. 42

External positions

Adviseur - Advisering en ontwikkeling - Luscci/Omron

Kerngroep - Foetale geneeskunde - NIPT consortium

Editorial board - Foetale geneeskunde - BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Lid werkgroep - Prenatale screening - Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu

Raad van advies - Geen - MEDSIM

Medisch adviseur - Geen - SPSRU

lid - foetale geneeskunde - NVOG