Fetal

What is selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR)?

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).

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TRAY-key-oh-ee-SOF-ah-GEE-all FIS-chu-la) and esophageal atresia (ee-SOF-ah-GEE-all ah-TREE-zha) are birth defects that affect parts of the upper digestive tract. Most of the time, these conditions occur together. Esophageal atresia repair and tracheoesophageal fistula repair are available at the Midwest Fetal Care Center.

Fetal medicine is at the pioneering edge of pediatric health care. Babies still in the womb with serious illnesses and conditions once faced a lifetime of struggle and chronic issues. Now, when treated early, we have hope of reducing or fully eliminating the burden of chronic illness from their lives. This possibility is fueled by donors like you.

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).Untreated, TTTS can be life-threatening for both babies. The donor twin may experience much slower-than-normal growth, while the recipient twin is at risk of heart failure due to the extra volume of blood. Twin to twin transfusion syndrome treatment is available at Midwest Fetal Care Center.

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.