Roberto Caldeyro-Barcia

Roberto Caldeyro-Barcia (26 September 1921 – 2 November 1996) was a Uruguayan doctor who pioneered the field of maternal–fetal medicine, or perinatology. His research with Dr. Hermógenes Alvarez created Montevideo units, a measure of uterine performance during labor. led to the duo's creation of Montevideo units to quantify uterine activity, now a worldwide standard in perinatal care.

The World Association of Perinatal Medicine, the first world congress of this speciality, was founded in Tokyo in 1991 by a number of renowned scientists including Caldeyro-Barcia and Saling. Caldeyro-Barcia chaired the general assembly held immediately after the congress concluded, during which the international body's name was established.

After Caldeyro-Barcia retired from the chair in Gynaecology at the University of the Republic, which was created for him, the government of Uruguay appointed him to direct a program that developed basic sciences at the university: Programa de Desarrollo de las Ciencias Básicas (PEDECIBA, "Program for the Development of Basic Sciences"). He held the post from 1984 until his death.

Awards Caldeyro-Barcia received more than 300 awards, including:

He was nominated three times for the Nobel Prize.

Honorary degrees PhD, University of Santiago de Compostela, 1978

Legacy The Global Congress of Maternal and Infant Health established the Roberto Caldeyro-Barcia Prize in Perinatal Medicine. Presented during the congress's opening ceremonies in Barcelona, Spain in September 2010, the prize winner must be an expert in obstetrics and perinatal medicine. The winner receives an award of and a diploma.