Shakila Thangaratinam
PhD, MD, MRCOG
CURRICULUM VITAE
Professor of Maternal and Perinatal Health
Medico-legal work (all enquiries/correspondence) to:
Medico-Legal Secretary, SM Legal Services, High Pines, 71 Walsall Road, Little Aston, Sutton Coldfield,
Birmingham, B74 3BA
Tel: 0121 352 0517
Fax: 0121 353 9408
mls@smlegalservices.co.uk
www.smlegalservices.co.uk
GMC Full Registration No. 5207639
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
CCT: Obstetrics and Gynaecology
MBBS, MRCOG, MD, PhD
SPECIAL AREAS OF EXPERTISE






Pregnancy / labour related problems
Pre-eclampsia and hypertension in pregnancy
Obesity in pregnancy
Diabetes in pregnancy
Epilepsy in pregnancy
Evidence based medicine
Summary of CV
Clinical portfolio
Qualifications
Special interests
CCT: Obstetrics & Gynaecology
MBBS, MRCOG, MD, PhD
Maternal Medicine
Research portfolio
Qualification
Research interests
Publications
Grants
PhD, Health Technology Assessment in Maternal and Perinatal Medicine, University
of Birmingham.
Prediction and prevention of pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes
Obesity in pregnancy
Evidence synthesis
Diagnostic methodology
Evidence Based Medicine
Over 40 publications in peer-reviewed journals
Income of over £6 million
HTA –NIHR: £250k (Obesity IPD meta analysis, 2013)
Barts Charity: £498 K (ESTEEM trial 2013)
HTA-NIHR: £560k (DAPPA study, 2012)
HTA-NIHR: £780k (PREP study, 2010)
HTA-NIHR: £1.8m (EMPIRE trial, 2010)
HTA-NIHR: £120k (Obesity in pregnancy Evidence Synthesis, 2009)
HTA-NIHR: £320k (PET CT in cervical cancer Evidence Synthesis, 2009)
HTA-NIHR: £229k (Sentinel nodes in vulval cancer Evidence Synthesis, 2009)
EME(MRC/NIHR): £1.4m (TABLET Trial, 2010)
HTA-NIHR: £940k (Pulse Ox study, 2007)
European Union Leonardo da Vinci programme: €240k (eBayesMet, 2009)
BWH R&D, UK; £50k (SOAP, 2010)
Marie Curie (IRSES): €180 (EBM Connect, 2010)
HEIF 4 Higher Education Institution Fund: £19k (kNOTE, 2009)
Peer review for grants
Peer review for journals
Management &
Leadership
Wellbeing of Women, CAIBER Spain, Heart Research UK, ZonMW Netherlands
Lancet, BMJ, JAMA, BJOG, EJOG, BMC, UOG
R&D Director for Women’s Health, Barts Health NHS Trust
Joint Lead, Multidisciplinary Evidence Synthesis Hub (mEsh), QMUL
Executive Board Member: Maternal Medicine Clinical Study Group
National Obesity Steering Group Member: RCOG lead at Academy Of Medical Royal
Colleges
Chair of the Trial Steering Committee, PREVIEW RCT
Founder, Katherine Twining Research Network
Board Member of ELLY Appeal, Barts Charity
Medical Education Portfolio
Senior Clinical Examiner for Undergraduate OSCE
Educational supervisor for postgraduate trainees
E-modules for college tutors and educational supervisors in West Midlands
Undergraduate lectures: Pre-eclampsia, Diabetes in pregnancy
Personal mentor for Student Selected Activity (SSA)
Obstetrics and Gynaecology representative at Exam Board
E-modules for EBM trainers in 7 EU countries
Tutor in Basic Surgical Skills course
Development of online modules for www.aceonline.org.uk and examiner for MRCOG
part 2 course (www.acecourses.co.uk)
Medical Education Research: peer-reviewed publications
Post-graduate Critical Appraisal training days for trainees in all specialities
Training the Teachers to teach critical appraisal (consultants from all specialties)
CV of S Thangaratinam
Sep 2014
2
Personal details
Name
Date of Birth
Marital Status/Sex
Nationality
Medical School
Postgraduate
Qualifications
Professional Bodies
Shakila Thangaratinam
24 March 1973
Married/Female
British
MBBS
1996 (Dr
University
MGR Medical
of Birmingham
University,
Medical
Madras, India)
MRCOG 2003 MRCOG
May 2001
PhD
2011 (University
MD
of Birmingham)
May 2004
MD
1999 (Dr MGR Medical University, Madras, India)
CCT
2010
GMC Full Registration NoNov
5207639
2008
Medical Defence Union
British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society
Clinical experience
I completed my Advanced Training in Specialist Medicine (ATSM) in Maternal Medicine, Labour ward
management and Medical Education and Completion of Core Training (CCT) in Obstetrics and
Gynaecology in Aug 2010.
My special interest is Maternal Medicine in Obstetrics. My training in maternal medicine was undertaken in
the largest and busiest tertiary obstetric unit in West Midlands (Birmingham Women’s Hospital) with 9000
deliveries per year. This involves management of obstetric patients in the joint diabetic, epilepsy, endocrine,
cardiac, haematology, substance misuse, mental health, HIV, renal and immunology clinics in partnership
with clinicians at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. My academic work has complemented my interest in maternal
medicine as evidenced by my work in pre eclampsia and epilepsy. My PhD in “Health Technology
Assessments in maternal and perinatal medicine” has provided me the opportunity to evaluate the tests and
treatments in this aarea.
Currently I provide obsteric services in the delivery suite and run the joint obstetric diabetic clinic and the
endocrinology clinics at Barts Health NHS Foundation Trust. The diabetic clinic provides services to high
risk mothers who are predominantly of Asian origin. My clinical work objectives for the coming two years
include further development of the quality and range of services within the obsteric unit, update the
guidelines and supervise audits.
Academic work and publications
Impact of research
My work has been instrumental in changing existing national and international guidelines and clinical
practice. The following are some of the examples
- My systematic reviews on the role of uric acid and proteinuria in the prediction of complications
in women with pre-eclampsia identified their limited role in clinical practice. The NICE ‘
Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy’ guideline directly referenced these papers in
recommending not to test for proteinuria once established, and to avoid use of uric acid results
alone in the management of women with pre-eclampsia.
- The meta analysis on the accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing miscarriage in early pregnancy,
CV of S Thangaratinam
Sep 2014
3
-
highlighted the possibility of falsely diagnosing miscarriage with existing guidelines. The work
was presented to the journalists from over 15 media, through the Science Media Centre, London.
It was widely taken up by the mainstream media and I was interviewed by national media
including ITN and Sky with invitations from Radio 3 and 4. The RCOG (Royal College of
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) responded by changing its guidelines in this field the following
week (http://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/items/smd/57260.html).
I led the NIHR HTA work evaluating the effect of dietary and lifestyle interventions in reducing
or preventing obesity in pregnancy. The findings of this project, published in the BMJ were
widely taken up by the mainstream media including BBC, Sky, ITN, The Times, Telegraph,
Independent and Metro. The figures from the QMUL communication office estimate that the
findings reached an estimated audience of 12 million readers.
Publications
1.
Thangaratinam S, Brown K, Zamora J, Khan KS, Ewer AK. Pulse oximetry
screening for critical congenital heart defects (CCHD) in asymptomatic
newborn infants: A systematic review and meta analysis involving 229,421 babies. Lancet
201.379:2459-2464
2. Thangaratinam S, Rogozinska E, Jolly K, Glinkowski S, Roseboom T, Tomlinson
JW, Kunz R, Mol BW, Coomarasamy A, Khan KS. Effects of interventions in
pregnancy on maternal weight and obstetric outcomes: meta-analysis of
randomised evidence. BMJ 2012; 344:e2088
IMPACT: The findings were widely taken up and published by the main stream media including The Times, The
Telegraph, Independent, Daily mail, BBC, Metro (front page), Mirror and Herald
http://www.skynews.com.au/health/article.aspx?id=752033&vId=
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18101423
http://www.herald.ie/lifestyle/dieting-during-pregnancy-good-for-baby-3111026.html
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/science/mums-to-be-should-stick-to-healthy-diet-838211
Telegraph.co.uk
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/now-dietingin-pregnancy-is-good-for-you-7764002.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9271565/Pregnant-women-should-not-eat-for-two.html
3. Thangaratinam S, Rogozinska E, Jolly K, Duda W et al. Interventions to reduce or
prevent obesity in pregnant women: a systematic review. Health Technol Assess
2012.
4. Jeve Y, Rana R, Bhide A, Thangaratinam S. Accuracy of first-trimester ultrasound
in the diagnosis of early embryonic demise: a systematic review. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol.
2011;38:489-96.
IMPACT: The findings of this paper were disseminated through a press release involving more than 15 press
associations. It was widely taken up by the mainstream media including interviews in ITN, Sky. The RCOG
responded by changing its guidelines in this field the next week based on the findings.
http://www.qmul.ac.uk/media/news/items/smd/57260.html
5. Thangaratinam S, Tan A, Knox E, Kilby MD, Franklyn J, Coomarasamy A.
Association of thyroid antibodies with miscarriage and preterm birth: A metaCV of S Thangaratinam
Sep 2014
4
analysis. BMJ 2011; 342:2616
IMPACT: This meta-analysis resulted in a £1.4million EME (MRC/NIHR) grant to conduct a multicentre
placebo-controlled randomised trial of levothyroxine in euthyroid women with thyroid antibodies awaiting
conception of a pregnancy (The TABLET trial).
6. Wilson A, Lissauer D, Thangaratinam S, Khan KS, MacArthur C, Coomarasamy
A. Clinical officers versus medical doctors for Caesarean surgery in the
developing world: A meta-analysis of controlled studies. BMJ 2011; 342:2600
7.
Ewer AK, Middleton LJ, Furmston AT, Bhoyar A, Daniels JP,
Thangaratinam S, Deeks JJ, Khan KS; PulseOx Study Group. Pulse
oximetry screening for congenital heart defects in newborn infants
(PulseOx): a test accuracy study. Lancet. 2011 Aug 27;378(9793):785-94.
IMPACT: The findings of this study is very likely to influence national and international health policies on
screening for congenital heart disease in newborn. This paper was extensively publicised by the main-stream
media.
8.
Gupta P, Thangaratinam S, Shehmar M, Gee H, Karri K, Bondili A, Khan KS. An electronic
raining-the-trainers programme: developing resources for training in educational supervision in
obstetrics and gynaecology. The Obstetrician and Gynaecologist 2012; 14: 39-44
9.
Thangaratinam S, Koopmans CK, Iyengar S, Zamora J, Ismail KMK, Mol BWJ, Khan KS for
TIPPS (Tests In Prediction of Pre-eclampsia’s Severity) review group. Accuracy of liver function
tests for predicting adverse maternal and fetal outcomes in pre-eclamptic women: A systematic
review. Acta Scand Obstet Gynecol 2011;90:574-85
10.
Thangaratinam S, Gallos I, Ismail KMK, Khan KS for TIPPS (Tests In Prediction of Preeclampsia’s Severity) review group. Accuracy of symptoms for predicting adverse maternal and
fetal outcomes in pre-eclamptic women: A systematic review and meta analysis. Acta Scand
Obstet Gynecol 2011;90:564-73
11.
Thangaratinam S, Langenveld J, Mol BW, Khan KS. Prediction and primary prevention of preeclampsia. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2011;25:419-33
12.
Oude Rengerink K, Thangaratinam S, Barnfield G, Suter K, Horvath AR, Walczak J,
Wełmińska A, Weinbrenner S, Meyerrose B, Arvanitis TN, Onody R, Zanrei G, Kunz R, Arditi
C, Burnand B, Gee H, Khan KS, Mol BW. How can we teach EBM in clinical practice? An
analysis of barriers to implementation of on-the-job EBM teaching and learning. Med Teach.
2011;33:e125-30.
13.
Gallos I, Shehmar M, Thangaratinam S, Coomarasamy A, Gupta J. Oral progestogens versus
Levonorgestrel-releasing Intrauterine System for endometrial hyperplasia - A Systematic Review
and Meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2010;203:547.e1-10
14.
Walczak J, Kaleta A, Gabry E, Kloc K, Thangaratinam S et al. How are "teaching the teachers"
courses in evidence based medicine evaluated? A systematic review. BMC Medical Education
2010; 10:64
15.
Veenendaal, M. V, Thangaratinam, S, Yates, D, Painter, R. C, de Rooij, S. R, van der Post, J. A,
et al. Is the Fetal Origins Hypothesis of Diabetes Supported by Animal Research? A Systematic
CV of S Thangaratinam
Sep 2014
5
Review and Meta-Analysis of the Evidence. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2011; 2: S126
16.
Thangaratinam S, Coomarasamy A, O'Mahony F, Sharp S, Zamora J, Khan KS, Ismail KM.
Estimation of proteinuria as a predictor of complications of pre-eclampsia: a systematic review.
BMC Med 2009. 24:10
IMPACT: The NICE guideline recommendations on testing for proteinuria in pre-eclampsia was directly influenced
by this paper and referenced. The findings of this paper was publicised with a press release and widely reported in
online medical information sites.
17.
Knox EM, Thangaratinam S, Kilby MD, Khan KS. A review of the methodological features of
systematic reviews in fetal medicine. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2009. 146: 121-128
18.
Thangaratinam S, Barnfield G, Weinbrenner S, Meyerrose B, Arvanitis TN, Horvath AR,
Zanrei G, Kunz R, Suter K, Walczak J, Kaleta A, Oude Rengerink K, Gee H, Mol BWJ and Khan
KS. Teaching trainers to incorporate evidence-based medicine (EBM) teaching in clinical
practice: the EU-EBM project. BMC Med Edu 2009. 9: 59
19.
Thangaratinam S, Coomarasamy A, Sharp S, Ismail KMK, Khan KS for the TIPPS (Tests in
Prediction of Pre-eclampsia’s Severity) review group Tests for predicting complications of preeclampsia: A protocol for systematic reviews of the literature BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2008.
8:38
20.
Thangaratinam S, Walker P, Freeman-Wang T, Luesley D, Cruickshank M, Redman CW.
Identifying the performance criteria for appraisal of colposcopists: benchmarking Delphi. BJOG.
2007. 114: 1288-91.
21.
Sheikh L, Johnston S, Thangaratinam S, Kilby MD, Khan KS. A review of the methodological
features of systematic reviews in maternal medicine. BMC Med. 2007. 24; 5:10.
22.
Thangaratinam S, Ismail K, Sharp S, Coomarasamy A, O'Mahony F, Khan KS, O'Brien S;
TIPPS (Tests in Prediction of Preeclampsia’s Severity) Review Group. Prioritisation of tests for
the prediction of preeclampsia complications: a Delphi survey. Hypertens Pregnancy 2007.
26:131-8.
23.
Thangaratinam S, Daniels J, Ewer AK, Zamora J, Khan KS.Accuracy of pulse oximetry in
screening for congenital heart disease in asymptomatic newborns: a systematic review. Arch Dis
Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2007. 92: F176-80.
24.
Krone RE, Ewer AK, Barrett TG, Moy RJ, Bakour S, Maher ER, Thangaratinam S, Cox P,
Martin B, Khan KS, Zeegers MP. The Birmingham Registry for Twin and Heritability Studies
(BiRTHS).Twin Res Hum Genet. 2006. 9: 907-12.
25.
Coomarasamy A, Thangaratinam S, Gee H, Khan KS.Progesterone for the prevention of
preterm birth: a critical evaluation of evidence.Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2006. 129:
111-8.
26.
Hassan I, Thangaratinam S, O'Mahony F, Ismail KM.Inferior vena cava thrombosis and
recurrent pancreatitis in pregnancy. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2006. 26: 372-3.
27.
Thangaratinam S, Yanamandra SR, Deb S, Coomarasamy A.Specialist training in obstetrics and
CV of S Thangaratinam
Sep 2014
6
gynaecology: a survey on work-life balance and stress among trainees in UK.J Obstet Gynaecol.
2006. 26: 302-4.
28.
Thangaratinam S, Ismail KM, Sharp S, Coomarasamy A, Khan KS; Tests in Prediction of Preeclampsia Severity review group.Accuracy of serum uric acid in predicting complications of preeclampsia: a systematic review. BJOG. 2006. 113: 369-78.
29.
Thangaratinam S, Ismail KMK, O’Brien S. Evidence Based Management of Premenstrual
syndrome; Eur Clinics Obstet Gynaecol. 2006. 2: 65-71
30.
Thangaratinam S, O’Brien S.Antidepressants and Premenstrual syndrome. Gynaecology Forum
2006.1; 1.
Management and Leadership
My work as senior academic is multidisciplinary by nature and requires good interpersonal and
leadership skills. As a clinical academic with over 7 years’ experience, I have taken a keen interest in
research management, governance and training. I have appointed several research posts across both the
Trust and University. I have substantial experience of chairing meetings effectively: I have been the lead
for EU multinational projects and have chaired Trials Steering Committees and Trial Management
Groups. Through experience of managing large trials and HTA projects, and contribution to independent
supervision of large national multi-centre trials, I have acquired and developed research organisational
and leadership qualities. My research leadership role is further demonstrated by membership of
Executive Committee of the British Maternal Fetal Medicine Society (2011 onwards), RCOG member on
the National Obesity Steering Group of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (2012 onwards),
Katherine Twining Network (2010 onwards) and the Reproductive Health and Childbirth speciality
group of the Birmingham and Black Country Comprehensive Local Research Network (2008-2011).
As part of the core team at Women’s Health Research Network, I am actively involved in the recruitment
of researchers, development of the department and establishing links with other units in North East
London through the newly founded Katherine Twining Network. I co-ordinate and supervise a team that
has 2 trial co-ordinators, 10 research nurses and midwives, a data assistant and an administrator. I work
closely with the 50 principal investigators involved in the portfolio studies and manage the budget of
research projects of around £3 million. I am adept in team working for provision of patient care within
the NHS environment and research projects within the academic milieu. My 360 degree assessments
carried out as part of my appraisals show that I have universally received high scores for the question on
team working.
Personal qualities and aspirations
I am a passionate optimist who strongly believes that with motivation, will power and hard work most
challenges can be overcome. I have a ‘can do’ attitude to life. I have always endeavoured to give the
very best at all times in my professional and personal life.
I am a Board member of ELLY Appeal (East London International Women’s Health) of Barts Charity,
an appeal dedicated to bring relevant ideas, clinical evidence, resources, projects and training to improve
global health, with the aim of reducing maternal death and disability in the developing world.
I relax after a hectic day at work by indulging in pencil sketching and listening to music. I am skilled in
‘Rangoli’, an indigenous decoration art on the floor. I hold a red belt in Zenshin Karate
CV of S Thangaratinam
Sep 2014
7