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Fetal Anemia

Fetal anemia is a condition in which a baby’s red blood cell volume falls below normal levels while the baby is developing in the womb. The condition may occur because not enough red blood cells are being produced or because they are being destroyed faster than they can be made. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which are molecules that carry oxygen throughout the body. The cells and organs of a developing baby need sufficient amounts of oxygen for nourishment.

Parents Kathy and John with twin boys Cian and Rory out in the woods.

Midwest physicians team up to treat Fargo twins Cian and Rory in the womb

The parents are grateful for the partnership between her doctors in Fargo and the Midwest Fetal Care Center in the Twin Cities.

Renal agenesis

Renal agenesis (REE-nall ay-JEN-eh-sis) is a condition in which one or both kidneys fail to form while a baby is developing in the womb. When only one kidney forms, the condition is known as unilateral renal agenesis. When neither kidney forms, it’s known as bilateral renal agenesis. Unilateral renal agenesis occurs in about 1 in 2,000 births. Bilateral renal agenesis is more rare, occurring in about 1 in 4,000 births. Both conditions are about three times more common among boys than among girls.

Related image for article, The Midwest Fetal Care Center: A combination of experts from Children’s Minnesota and Allina Health produce exceptional outcomes

The Midwest Fetal Care Center: A combination of experts from Children’s Minnesota and Allina Health produce exceptional outcomes

The Midwest Fetal Care Center (MWFCC) team is attending the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine’s (SMFM) 40th annual pregnancy meeting in Grapevine, Texas, from Feb. 3-8, 2020. This annual meeting is a place for leaders and colleagues in maternal-fetal medicine get together and learn about cutting-edge obstetrics updates through workshops, forums and presentations.

Myelomeningocele (MMC) repair outcomes

In 2016, our center performed our first fetal repair of myelomeningocele (MMC), the most severe form of spina bifida. Led by a team of medical experts in the field of fetal diagnosis and therapy, our program has grown to become a high volume MMC fetal surgery center. As of January 25, 2023, the Midwest Fetal Care Center has evaluated more than 117 women for maternal-fetal surgery for spina bifida; 74 underwent surgery.

Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) procedure outcomes

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.

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.

Fetal Cardiac Ultrasound Course and Hands-On Scan Session

May 2, 2020, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Minneapolis

Due to the recent developments and health safety precautions surrounding COVID-19, this event has been cancelled.

Lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO)

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.

Rare open fetal tumor removal surgery gives Alexa a second chance at life

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.