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.
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (also referred to as fetal growth restriction, or FGR) describes a condition in which the unborn baby is smaller than expected for his or her gestational age, or the number of weeks that the baby has been in the uterus. The term for a newborn baby who is smaller than expected is small for gestational age (SGA).
Highlights from the 2017 Fetal to Neonatal Care Conference: Advances in Therapies for Mother and Baby
The first Fetal to Neonatal Care conference, hosted by Midwest Fetal Care Center, brought together experts in fetal and perinatal medicine to promote knowledge of advanced interventions and therapies. Read more for a few highlights.
Urinary tract dilation occurs when part of the unborn baby’s urinary tract swells (dilates) abnormally with excessive amounts of urine. The swelling is often caused by a blockage or narrowing of the urinary tract, which stops or slows the urine from leaving the baby’s body. Usually, the swelling goes away on its own, either during the pregnancy or after the baby is born. In more severe cases, which are uncommon, the condition can lead to low levels of amniotic fluid (oligohydramnios).
November 2, 2017, 8 a.m. – 9 a.m., Minneapolis
Alan W. Flake, MD, FACS, FAAP
What is oligohydramnios?
What is selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR)?
October 14, 2017, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., St. Paul
The Great Candy Run is an event to raise funds for and awareness of fetal syndromes and is coming to the land of 10,000 lakes. Participants and spectators alike will enjoy the fun and fast 5K course designed with walkers and runners in mind, a family festival featuring games, activity stations, face painting, great refreshments, giveaways and much more.
Intestinal atresia (ah-TREE-zha) is a term used to describe a broad spectrum of birth defects that result in a blockage in either the small or large intestine. During normal fetal development, the intestines remain unobstructed, allowing contents from the stomach to flow freely through the baby’s digestive tract (Figure 1). When a blockage (atresia) occurs, however, the intestines lose some or all of their ability to absorb nutrients and to push food and fluids through the baby’s digestive tract.
During normal fetal development the duodenum — the upper part of the small intestine — remains unobstructed, allowing contents from the stomach to flow freely through the baby’s digestive tract (Figure 1). Duodenal atresia (DWAH-de-nal ah-TREE-zha) is a condition that occurs when a portion of the duodenum doesn’t form. This condition results in a blockage (atresia) that stops food or fluid from leaving the baby’s stomach (Figure 2).