Expert Diagnosis and Management of Fetal Conditions

Fetal conditions we treat include:

• Abdominal wall defects
  • Gastroschisis
  • Omphalocele
• Amniotic band syndrome
• Bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS)
• Cardiac abnormalities
• Cervical/neck masses
• Cleft lip/cleft palate
• Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAM), also known as congenital airway malformation (CPAM)
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)
• Fetal anemia
  • Alloimmunization
  • Infections
  • Feto-maternal hemorrhage
• Fetal growth restriction (FGR)
• Gastrointestinal abnormalities
  • Intestinal atresia
  • Imperforated anus
  • Esophageal atresia
  • Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF)
• Genetic disorders
• Hydrops
• Lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) and other genitourinary anomalies
• Lung lesions
• Monochorionic twin gestation with selective fetal growth restriction
• Neurologic anomalies
• Pleural effusion
• Sacrococcygeal teratoma
• Selective fetal growth restriction (FGR) in twins
• Spina bifida
• Twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS)
• Twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence (TRAP)
• Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)

Fetal Testing Services

• Amniocentesis: A procedure which involves collecting and assessing amniotic fluid to identify specific genetic conditions or functional issues.
• Biophysical profile: This combines the results of a non-stress test and an ultrasound to determine your baby’s health.
• Chorionic villus sampling: Collects a small piece of tissue from the placenta to identify potential genetic problems early in the pregnancy.
• Doppler velocimetry: This test uses a small laser beam to monitor blood flow and determine if your baby is getting a healthy supply of blood.
• Fetal echocardiography: A test that uses sound waves to check your developing baby’s heart.
• Non-stress test (NST): Measures your baby’s heart rate in response to his or her movements.
• Targeted sonography: Using advanced 3-D and 4-D ultrasound to look at specific areas of your unborn baby to determine if there are any issues.

Procedures & Minimally Invasive Fetal Surgery

• Bladder and chest shunt placement: A shunt, or hollow tube, is inserted through the mother’s abdomen and uterus into the fetus to drain fluid.
• Ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT): This is a procedure used to deliver a baby that is anticipated to have critical problems once separated from the mother, such as airway obstruction. The procedure allows for time to intervene and correct issues before the umbilical cord is cut.
• Fetal cardiac intervention: The collaborative team at UH Rainbow specializes in the detection and treatment of heart defects in infants still in the womb.
• Fetoscopic surgery: With this type of surgery, a small instrument is inserted into the uterus through the mother’s abdomen in order to see the fetus and placenta.
• Intrauterine transfusion: A transfusion of red blood cells to the fetus through the mother’s abdomen may be recommended in some cases of fetal anemia.
• Laser ablation for TTTS: Through the use of a fetoscope, a laser is used to seal and disconnect fetal blood vessels with abnormal connections
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA): This procedure is used to stop the blood flow in an abnormal fetus. It is sometimes used to reduce the risk to a healthy twin in an abnormal twin pregnancy.

Areas of Expertise

• Ultrasound with Doppler
• Fetal echocardiogram
• Ultrafast fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Low-dose fetal computed tomography (CT) scan