The Midwest Fetal Care Center (MWFCC) performed its first fetoscopic laser ablation (FLA) for twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) in 2008. Led by a team of top medical experts in the field of maternal-fetal medicine and fetal diagnosis and therapy, our program has become one of the highest volume treatment centers for TTTS in the nation and has exceptional outcomes.
The Midwest Fetal Care Center (MWFCC), a collaboration between Allina Health and Children’s Minnesota, brings together a multidisciplinary team of highly trained maternal-fetal medicine experts from Allina Health and pediatric and neonatal specialists from Children’s Minnesota. Open since 2008, the MWFCC is a national referral center and regional leader in fetal diagnosis, fetal intervention and comprehensive fetal care for unborn babies with abnormalities.
May 2, 2020, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Minneapolis
Currently 1 out of 100 babies born in the United States has a heart defect, and 20-30% of these babies suffer from serious or life-threatening defects. This this 1-day program is designed for sonographers and physicians performing prenatal screening ultrasounds to recognize key signs of congenital heart disease.
Fetal lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO) is a condition that occurs when the baby’s urethra, the tube that transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body during urination (Figure 1), becomes partially or completely blocked.
Kare 11 shares the touching story of Alexa Mendoza, a toddler who was one of only about a dozen babies in the world to have survived a rare open fetal surgery to remove a tumor while still in her mother’s womb. Children’s Minnesota is one of just a few hospitals across the country that is able to perform this complex and risky procedure.
Margaret had her first open heart surgery at just five months old. Now two years old she continues to fight and become a healthy and happy toddler.
February is American Heart Month! This month, we are celebrating some of our amazing cardiovascular (CV) patients and families who have a special place in our hearts.
A lymphatic (lim-FA-tik) malformation, sometimes called a lymphangioma (lim-fan-gee-OH-ma) or cystic hygroma (SIS-tik hi-GROH-ma), is a non-cancerous growth that contains one or more sacs, or cysts, of clear fluid (lymph). The growths can appear anywhere on a baby’s body, but are most often found on the neck or head (Figures 1 and 2) or in the armpits (axilla) (Figure 3). They usually develop before birth, although they may not become visible for up to the baby’s second birthday or sometimes even later.
Children's is proud to announce the honoring of Joseph B. Lillegard, MD, PhD, inaugural chair holder of the Dr. Jim Sidman Endowed Chair in Fetal Research, and Brad A. Feltis, MD, PhD, inaugural chair holder of the Dr. Carol L. Wells Endowed Chair in Fetal Surgery.
Hydrops fetalis (HIGH-drops fee-TAH-lis) is a life-threatening condition in which abnormal amounts of fluid accumulate in two or more body areas of an unborn baby. Although the fluid buildup may appear anywhere in the baby’s body, it most often occurs in the abdomen, around the heart or lungs, or under the skin. Other symptoms of the condition include higher-than-normal amounts of amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios) and a thickening of the placenta.