Fetal

Children’s Minnesota and Allina Health announced that the Midwest Fetal Care Center added open fetal surgery to its pioneering fetal care program.

Spina bifida (SPY-na BI-fi-da), a Latin term that means “split spine,” is a birth defect that occurs when a section of the baby’s spinal column does not form properly. Spina bifida treatment is available at Midwest Fetal Care Center.

Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a condition that occurs only in monochorionic pregnancies  — ones in which two or more genetically identical babies (usually twins) share the same placenta. Although all identical twins share a placenta, TTTS develops in about 10 to 15 percent of those pregnancies. The condition does not occur when the twins are non-identical (fraternal).

Congenital lung malformations (CLM) consist of a broad range of conditions that can affect a developing baby. These conditions can range from small asymptomatic cystic lung lesions to large lesions which may require treatment while your baby is still inside mom (in utero). The most common of these lesions are bronchopulmonary sequestration and congenital pulmonary airway malformation (which used to be called cystic adenomatoid malformation –CCAM). In normal development, babies will have three lobes of the lung of the right and 2 lobes on the left. Most CLM usually arise from a single lobe but, rarely, they can affect multiple lobes. If a single lobe is involved, the most common location is in the lower lobes.The diagnosis and management of these lesions can be challenging in the prenatal period. Some of these babies may require urgent fetal intervention, so a thorough understanding of the possible treatment strategies is crucial for successful management of these patients.

Omphalocele (uhm-fa-lo-seal) is a birth abnormality of the abdominal wall whereby the infant's intestines, liver, or other organs are contained within a sac that sticks outside the baby through the navel. Omphalocele treatment is available at Midwest Fetal Care Center.

Gastroschisis (gas-tro-ski-sis) occurs when a baby is born with the bowel and sometimes other organs coming through an opening in the abdomen (belly). The Midwest Fetal Care Center offers expert gastroschisis treatment and care.

The diaphragm muscle divides your chest and abdomen and it helps with breathing.

At Midwest Fetal Care Center, a collaboration between Children's Minnesota and Allina Health, we understand care involves an entire team. If your patient’s ultrasound results are abnormal, we’re here to help. As the largest program of its kind in the Upper Midwest, our fetal care program provides evaluation, diagnosis and intervention for high-risk pregnancies.

Our fetal care experts see patients for initial consultations and follow-up in our new clinic located in the first floor front entrance of The Mother Baby Center at Abbott Northwestern and Children's Minnesota in Minneapolis. Parking is available in the Blue/26th Street Visitor ramp, located to the east of The Mother Baby Center.