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Brenna L Hughes

Edwin Crowell Hamblen Distinguished Professor of Reproductive Biology and Family Planning
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Edwin Crowell Hamblen Distinguished Professor of Reproductive Biology and Family Planning · 2025 - Present Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2023 - Present Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Interim Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2025 - Present Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Science Departments

In the News


Published March 25, 2025
Duke Honors 31 New Distinguished Professors
Published August 23, 2023
A Multifaceted Effort to Reduce Maternal Mortality
Published February 17, 2023
Further Restricting Abortions in NC Will Have ‘Chilling’ Effect, Doctors Say

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Recent Publications


Oropouche Infection: Concerns for the Obstetric Patient

Journal Article Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey · June 1, 2025 Importance: Oropouche is an emerging virus that has become a growing cause for concern after reports of vertical transmission and detrimental effects on the developing fetus. Oropouche is an arbovirus, meaning it is transmitted by arthropods, which include ... Full text Cite

Validation of an Extended Maternal Comorbidity Index for Prediction of Severe Maternal Morbidity.

Journal Article Obstetrics and gynecology · June 2025 The expanded maternal comorbidity index developed by Leonard et al uses pre-existing maternal health conditions (eg, hypertension, asthma) to produce a risk score that predicts severe maternal morbidity (SMM). This tool has been adopted into clinical and r ... Full text Cite

Blood pressure control in pregnant patients with chronic hypertension and diabetes: should <130/80 be the target?

Journal Article Am J Obstet Gynecol · May 2025 BACKGROUND: The Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy Study demonstrated that a target blood pressure of <140/90 mm Hg during pregnancy is associated with improved perinatal outcomes. Outside of pregnancy, pharmacologic therapy for patients with diabetes and ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Duke MFMU Capitation Record

Clinical TrialPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by The George Washington University · 2023 - 2030

Duke University Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network Clinical Center

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2023 - 2030

North Carolina Clinical Center for the Eunice Kennedy Shiver NICHD Cooperative Multicenter Neonatal Research Network

ResearchCollaborating Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2001 - 2030

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Education, Training & Certifications


Brown University · 1999 M.D.

External Links


Duke Health Profile