Conditions We Treat

Gastroschisis is a condition in which parts of the intestines (and sometimes parts of the stomach, liver and other organs) protrude from the fetus’s body.

Learn more about gastroschisis

Omphalocele is similar to gastroschisis, as it is another way that loops of intestines (and sometimes parts of the stomach, liver and other organs) can protrude from the fetus’s body.

Learn more about omphalocele

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a condition in which all or part of the abdominal organs (stomach, intestine, liver and spleen) move into the chest cavity.

Learn more about congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) occurs when the fetal airway is blocked, causing swelling of the lungs, trachea (windpipe) and bronchial tubes, as well as heart failure. CHAOS is assessed through amniocentesis, level II ultrasound, fetal echocardiogram, and prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Most cases are best treated after birth, with delivery via the ex-utero intra-partum (EXIT) procedure. In severe cases, we may recommend fetal intervention to relieve the blockage. An EXIT procedure is a specialized Cesarean section where the baby is not fully delivered (and the umbilical cord not clamped) until a breathing tube has been placed and the baby can safely breathe through its lungs.

The fourth most common birth defect in the US, cleft lip and cleft palate, are facial and mouth malformations that occur when there is not enough tissue to properly cover the area, resulting in a physical split of the upper lip or roof of the mouth.

Diagnosed through ultrasound, cleft lip and cleft palate can occur on one or both sides of the mouth, in combination or separately, and can only be treated after birth.

A cleft lip may require one to two reconstructive operations, beginning at three months of age, whereas a cleft palate requires multiple procedures over the course of 18 years, beginning between 6 and 12 months of age.

Craniosynostosis occurs when one or more bones of the fetal skull close (or “fuse”) prematurely.

Learn more about craniosynostosis

Seen in approximately one in 8,500 live births, micrognathia and Pierre Robin sequence are related conditions in which the jaw or chin is smaller than normal, causing breathing and feeding problems at birth. Diagnosed through level II ultrasound, fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), echocardiogram and amniocentesis, these conditions cannot be treated with fetal intervention and may require surgery at birth. In very severe cases, an ex utero intra-partum (EXIT) procedure may be planned. An EXIT procedure is a specialized Cesarean section where the baby is not fully delivered (and the umbilical cord not clamped) until a breathing tube has been placed and the baby can safely breathe through its lungs.

A fetal abdominal cyst is a fluid-filled structure located in the unborn baby’s abdomen. The most common type, in females, is an ovarian cyst. Diagnosed and monitored with serial ultrasound, the cyst can disappear on its own before birth or may be treated after birth. In rare cases, we may recommend draining the cyst during pregnancy, through fetal image-guided surgery.

The most common type of abdominal cysts in females. Diagnosed and monitored with serial ultrasound, the cyst often dissipates on its own before birth or may be treated after birth. In rare cases, we may recommend draining the cyst through fetal image-guided surgery.

Congenital lung lesions occur when a portion of lung tissue develops abnormally during otherwise normal fetal development.

Learn more about congenital lung lesions

Congenital tumors are rare, affecting fewer than one in 10,000 live births. Diagnosed through ultrasound, congenital tumors are typically treated after birth, based on their size and location.

In rare cases, such as when the tumor causes heart failure, we may recommend fetal intervention.

Affecting one in 1,000 to 5,000 births and caused by the abnormal development of the fetal bowel, duodenal atresia occurs when the first portion of the small intestine—which connects to other organs including the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas—becomes completely or partially blocked. Diagnosed through level II ultrasound, fetal echocardiogram and amniocentesis, duodenal atresia is treated after birth with surgery to open the blockage. Your baby will remain in the hospital for several weeks while the bowel heals and will receive nutrients intravenously until their bowel can fully absorb enough nutrients for normal growth.

Seen in approximately one in 4,000 births and caused by the abnormal development of the esophagus, esophageal atresia refers to the incomplete connection of the mouth to the stomach, which causes swallowing and breathing problems at birth. Diagnosed through level II ultrasound, fetal echocardiogram and amniocentesis, esophageal atresia is best treated after birth with surgery; more than one procedure may be needed to repair the connection. Your baby will remain in the hospital for several weeks while normal swallowing function is restored, and will receive nutrients intravenously until he or she can consume enough nutrients by mouth.

Intestinal atresia generally refers to blockages of the small intestine (bowel obstruction).

Learn more about intestinal atresia

In congenital heart disease, an abnormality in the heart's structure, prevents it from functioning properly in the womb.

Learn more about congenital heart disease

Arrhythmia most often refers to an irregular heartbeat, while dysrhythmia represents all types of abnormal heartbeats where the heartbeat can be too fast or too slow.

Learn more about fetal arrhythmia/dysrhythmia

Normally, the right side of the heart pumps blood to the lungs and the left side pumps blood to the rest of the body. Hypoplastic heart syndrome occurs when one side of the heart is underdeveloped and the other must work twice as hard to ensure proper blood flow. The condition is more serious when it occurs on the left side.

Diagnosed prenatally through level II ultrasound, fetal echocardiogram, and amniocentesis and confirmed at birth through physical examination and computed tomography, hypoplastic heart syndrome is most often treated after birth with surgery.

Babies typically require three operations over a period of three to four years—the first of which occurs within the first two weeks of life. In rare cases we may recommend fetal intervention.

In some cases, early hypoplastic left (or right) heart syndrome might be treated before birth, to prevent it from getting worse.

Vascular malformations are congenital lesions of the capillaries, veins, lymphatic vessels and/or arteries, caused by abnormal cell growth.

Learn more about lymphatic and vascular malformations

A rare condition affecting one in 10,000 to 50,000 live births, bladder exstrophy occurs when the abdominal wall fails to close completely and the infant is born with the bladder exposed outside the body.

Diagnosed through ultrasound, bladder exstrophy is best treated after birth with surgical reconstruction in stages.

Urinary tract obstructions are caused by a narrowing at some point in the urinary tract that slows or stops the flow of urine.

Learn more about congenital urinary tract obstruction

Seen in approximately one in 4,300 births and affecting males slightly more often than females, multicystic dysplastic kidney disease occurs when one kidney forms abnormally in the womb and cannot function properly at birth.

Diagnosed through routine prenatal ultrasound, computed tomography, nuclear scanning and fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), multicystic dysplastic kidney disease cannot be treated with fetal intervention and rarely requires treatment after birth.

In most cases, the affected kidney naturally regresses and vanishes over time. In rare cases, we may recommend surgical removal of the affected kidney—a relatively simple procedure that typically requires an overnight stay in the hospital.

In rare cases where both kidneys are affected, the fetus may not be able to make urine at all, which also affects the amniotic fluid and, ultimately, the lungs. An intervention before birth might be discussed in those severe cases.

Polycystic kidney disease is an inherited disease in which cysts develop on both kidneys: usually after birth, although it can be diagnosed before birth in some cases. The age of onset and severity depend on the specific genetic pattern in the family. Diagnosed through routine prenatal ultrasound, computed tomography, nuclear scanning and fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), polycystic kidney disease can only be treated after birth with dialysis or kidney transplant.

A rare condition of the urinary system that affects one in 40,000 births—approximately 97% of which are male—prune belly syndrome involves three main birth defects: poor development of the abdominal muscles (causing the skin to wrinkle like a prune), undescended testicles, and urinary tract problems.

Diagnosed through ultrasound, babies are often best treated with early reconstructive surgery post birth. In rare cases, we may recommend fetal intervention.

Amniotic band syndrome (ABS) occurs when strands of amniotic membrane entangle the fetus and restrict blood flow to parts of the developing body, resulting in conditions such as clubfoot or cleft palate.

ABS is diagnosed through ultrasound and prenatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and is typically treated after birth with plastic and reconstructive surgery to correct the deformity.

In rare cases—when a vital organ is affected or a limb is in danger of amputation after birth—we may recommend fetal intervention.

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a rare condition in identical twins where one twin always donates blood to the other. As a result, the donor twin is often the sicker of the two.

Learn more about twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome

A relatively common birth defect and typically an isolated problem for an otherwise healthy baby, clubfoot refers to a range of foot abnormalities in which one or both baby’s feet are twisted out of shape or position. Clubfoot is diagnosed through ultrasound and is treated after birth with casting and/or reconstructive surgery.

One of the most common birth defects related to the nervous system and seen in approximately one in 1,000 live births, hydrocephalus occurs when cerebro-spinal fluid (the liquid that surrounds and cushions the brain) collects in the ventricles of the brain, which causes it to stretch and may result in brain damage.

Diagnosed through level II ultrasound, fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and amniocentesis, hydrocephalus is best treated after birth. In rare cases, we may recommend fetal intervention.

Spina bifida occurs when part of the spine, usually lower in the back, fails to close and leaves the spinal nerves exposed.

Learn more about spina bifida treatment options