FETAL DIAGNOSES & TREATMENT
Texas Children's Fetal Center evaluates
and treats all fetal abnormalities

A number of potentially fatal birth defects can be detected and treated before a child’s birth because
of the availability of expertise in all types of fetal abnormalities, world-class imaging techniques
and diagnostic testing available at Texas Children's Fetal Center.

While most birth defects are best managed with medical therapy during pregnancy or with surgery immediately after birth, an increasing number of anatomic abnormalities can be corrected before birth to reduce some of the life-threatening or devastating consequences of the defect.

Our experienced team of experts evaluate and treat the following conditions:

Alloimmunization
During the birthing process, blood cells from the unborn child can escape into the mother's bloodstream. These cells are recognized as foreign if they are a different blood type from the mother and a natural rejection process will ensue with the formation of antibodies. The process is known as red cell alloimmunization. In severe cases, the maternal antibodies can cross the placenta and cause fetal anemia and hydrops (heart failure) Platelet alloimmunization: Differences in proteins on platelets can also cause the formation of maternal antibodies. In these cases antibodies can cross the palcenta and cause a low platelet count in the fetus. This can lead to bleeding into the fetal brain.
Learn more

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs when the diaphragm does not fully form, allowing organs like the stomach, spleen, liver, and intestines to enter the chest cavity and preventing lung growth. The defect can occur on the right or left side or both, but left side CDH is most common. It is suggested that the presence of abdominal organs in the chest cause the devastating effects in the developing lungs. One in every 2,500 babies is afflicted by CDH, which can cause minor lasting health problems such as feeding aversions, asthma, scoliosis and short-term oxygen dependency – or major ongoing health problems, including ventilator dependency, brain damage, hearing problems and death. Learn more

Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of the Lung (CCAM)
Lungs are normally divided into sections called lobes, with three on the right and two on the left. A congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is a cystic mass of abnormal, dysfunctional lobe that appears as a fluid-filled sac called a cyst. Most CCAMs either disappear or are too small to cause problems. Typically, they are benign, but in rare cases may become cancerous or infected and cause pneumonia.

Sacrococcygeal Teratoma
Fetal sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT) is a nonmalignant tumor located at the base of the tailbone. Occurring in one in every 35,000 to 40,000 live births, it is the most common tumor in newborns. These tumors can grow to large proportions and contain large blood vessels that rob the developing fetus of blood. SCTs are cancerous 10 percent of the time.

Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS)
This condition occurs only in those identical twins that are monochorionic, diamniotic  The single placenta contains blood vessel connections between the twins and in 15 percent to 20 percent of monochorionic, diamniotic twins, the blood flow through these blood vessel connections becomes unbalanced. In TTTS, the smaller twin (often called the donor twin) does not get enough blood while the larger twin (often called the recipient twin) becomes overloaded with too much blood. Learn more.

Urinary Tract Obstruction
Abnormalities of the genitals and urinary tract are among the most common birth defects, affecting as many as one in 10 babies. Male fetuses can have an obstruction to the flow of urine out the bladder, causing urine to back up and damage the kidneys. Consequently, the amniotic fluid becomes filled with disproportionate amounts of urine, and the low amniotic fluid levels cause inadequate lung development. In the event of renal and pulmonary failure, this fetal condition can be life threatening.