Arley’s Fetal Heart Tumor Journey: How In-Utero Surgery for Pericardial Teratoma Saved Her Life
Time was on baby Arley’s side when she was diagnosed with a rare fetal heart tumor. A narrow window of opportunity exists to remove a mass from a baby’s heart before it gets too large. But lucky for Arley, she was in a good place for the experts at CHOP to perform the in-utero procedure and allow her heart to function normally.
Josiah’s Story: Innovative Technology Treats Fetal Renal Failure
Narina and Chris were referred to expert care at Connecticut Children’s Fetal Care Center that saved baby Josiah’s life. Other doctors were ready to give up hope. But thanks to an innovative technique to receive amnioinfusions, baby Josiah is doing well and is ready for the ultimate phase of treatment.
Renny & Benny’s Story: Fetoscopic laser surgery to correct twin-twin transfusion syndrome
Kaelyn thought she might lose both her babies when Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome entered the picture. But thanks to the “amazing, amazing people” at Connecticut Children’s Fetal Care Center, she is enjoying life with her two healthy identical twin boys and wants parents to know that there is help and hope.
Thaddeus’s Story: Beyond Open Fetal Surgery, A Spina Bifida Success
5-minute read
Ester and Samuel traveled across country and stayed away from home for months to ensure the health of their baby boy. His serious spina bifida diagnosis and mom’s cervical complications were challenges that Dr. Timothy Crombleholme accepted and triumphed over.
The McGrew Family Story: When Your Baby Has FNAIT
3-minute read
Parents aren’t the only ones who may not be aware of the dire consequences of FNAIT. Many doctors and other medical professionals aren’t familiar with the blood disorder until there’s a serious problem. Raising awareness allows for better disease management and prevention. See how the McGrew family dealt with four FNAIT pregnancies.
What is FNAIT?
2-minute read
When a baby experiences FNAIT or NAIT it’s often not discovered until symptoms appear. That’s why it’s important to know the signs and understand if you and your pregnancy are at risk. The consequences of this condition that involves a low blood platelet count can be alleviated through awareness and prompt action.
Amari & Javar: conjoined twins separated at CHOP while whole family is given special care
5-minute read
Finding out they were having twins was super exciting news for Tim and Shaneka, but finding out they were conjoined led to a whole new set of questions and a whole new path for their family. Experts at CHOP restored their initial joy and delivered the news that the babies could be safely delivered and likely candidates for separation surgery.
Once Conjoined, Now Thriving: The Altobelli Twins Three Years Later
4-minute read
Facing a complex conjoined twin delivery, the Altobellis knew they needed top notch care for their babies’ best outcome. So they turned to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Not only were the babies successfully delivered, mom was also healthy and delighted by her newborn babies. Today, they have been separated and are thriving as individuals!
Meet the smallest premature baby treated by Stanford Children’s Preterm PDA Closure Program
5-minute read
When a baby is born very early, it takes a team of well coordinated care with expert skills and decision making to not only save the baby, but allow her to grow and flourish. Amazing teams of medical professionals at Stanford Medicine Children’s Hospital did just that for baby Theia and her parents.
Why fetal MRI & ultrasound images can look supernatural, but their value is out of this world
3-minute read
Fetal MRIs can produce some odd-looking images that some describe as spooky while others can’t make head nor toes of them. Leader of the fetal ultrasound team at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia tells us why the images are so fantastical and why they are so important.
Nixon: Making remarkable strides in his development thanks to the world’s first study of its kind for spina bifida
The landmark clinical trial CuRe Trial: Cellular Therapy for In Utero Repair of Myelomeningocele is underway at UC Davis Health. The world’s first spina bifida treatment combining fetal surgery with stem cells could change the life of a baby with spina bifida, who could otherwise be paralyzed from the waist down.
Christian: Now an EMT decades after groundbreaking spina bifida surgery
Christian was the 14th patient to undergo fetal surgery for myelomeningocele, a severe form of spina bifida, at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He is now a tall, handsome 24-year-old who recently passed his national certification to become an emergency medical technician (EMT).
Tobias, second patient to receive stem cell treatment in utero, thanks to ongoing clinical trial for spina bifida
Oregon couple traveled to California for in-utero surgery at nearly 26 weeks gestation to repair the baby’s spina bifida defect. During the operation, doctors placed a stem cell patch on the baby’s small spine. The results are making waves around the world.
Lexi’s story: surpassing all expectations after in-utero surgery for spina bifida
5-minute read
The Badenhop family wasn’t expecting news of spina bifida and were scared and uncertain about their baby’s future. But Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s expert team offered hope — and a successful outcome for baby Lexi.
The impact of fetal surgery for spina bifida and hydrocephalus: a patient’s perspective
5-minute read
A young mom is faced with life or death decisions soon after learning her son’s diagnosis of spina bifida and hydrocephalus. She tells us her heartwarming story.
UC Davis CuRe trial awarded $15 million to support clinical trial testing stem cell treatment for spina bifida
4-minute read
Researchers at UC Davis Health are continuing to Phase 2 of a clinical trial for in utero surgery that uses stem cells to repair spina bifida defect, offering potential better outcomes.
Young Brothers Thrive after Defying Odds of Extremely Rare Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
3-minute read
Zane and Zeke are happy and thriving today after experiencing impossibly long odds of developing the same congenital heart defect. The exceptional care teams at Children’s Hospital Colorado provided cutting edge expertise and unwavering support for the entire family throughout both boys’ fight to survive.
A simple blood test developed by Stanford-led researchers predicts preterm birth
2 minutes
An affordable and accessible test can provide pregnant women around the world an opportunity to understand their risk of preterm birth, allowing for healthier pregnancies and healthier babies.
How Nationwide Children’s is Optimizing Prenatal and Neonatal Care for Infants with Treatable Rare Diseases
4-minute read
Now that there is ever-growing potential to intervene medically before a child is born, it expands the utility of prenatal testing. Doctors can find ways to intervene earlier to improve outcomes.
UCSF Leads the Way in Hydrops Research
3-minute read
University of California at San Francisco Hydrops Center of Excellence leads the way in Hydrops research. Funding from Brianna Marie and Fetal Health Foundations helps experts continue to deliver the latest in-utero treatments.
Tests to expect during pregnancy: Dr. Teresa Harper tells us the six most common tests to ensure the health of mom and baby(ies)
2-minute read
Dr. Teresa Harper, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist at Children’s Hospital Colorado, tells us which 6 tests are most commonly relied on during pregnancy to help guide care and minimize risks.
Ella’s life is saved after surgery for sacrococcygeal teratoma, a rare fetal tumor, at the Colorado Fetal Care Center
2-minute read
Four years later, Ella is a thriving preschooler and big sister, thanks to Colorado Fetal Care Center. The Center is the only facility in the Rocky Mountain region to offer the complex procedure she underwent to remove a sacrococcygeal teratoma that was twice Ella’s size.
What is HDFN?
2-minute read
HDFN is a rare fetal syndrome that affects later pregnancies. Johnson & Johnson is pioneering research to help women at severe risk. Their clinical trial is currently enrolling women who are at risk for severe HDFN who have a history of severe HDFN in a prior pregnancy.
Fetal Surgery: Seven Questions Dr. Timothy Crombleholme Answered for Us
4-minute read
Renowned expert Dr. Crombleholme answers common questions about fetal interventions and treating babies before they’re born.
Logan’s Recovery from Gastroschisis
~ 5 Min Read ~ “I’m always amazed when I see these babies at birth, and we put the bowel in a silo how we’re able to get that bowel back into the tummy in such a short period of time,” said Paul Wales, MD, surgical director for the Intestinal Rehabilitation Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.