Using a multidisciplinary approach, the Institute for Fetal Health provides
prenatal consultation and pediatric care planning for pregnant women identified as carrying
babies with birth defects or medical problems. (The conditions cited on these
pages are only a sample of the many cared for by our specialists.)
Children's Memorial Hospital has been a leader in research and counseling
for pregnant mothers for more than 30 years. Now thanks to rapid advances
in imaging, genetics and the ability to diagnose fetal defects before birth,
the need for these services is rapidly expanding. Children's Memorial staff
members will work closely with the local obstetrical care team and the family
pediatrician to plan the best care for the baby following delivery.
Leadership for the Institute is provided by Max Maizels, MD, and Marleta
Reynolds, MD. Program coordination is provided by Christopher Talbot, MD.
Specialties
Fetal MRI's are now being used to help answer questions
of fetal anatomy or structure before birth when it will aid in making medical
decisions or planning critical care.
More here on fetal MRI. Our comprehensive center encompasses the following medical and surgical
specialties:
Anesthesia - When surgery at the time of birth is anticipated
Cardiology -
Heart and great vessels
Cardiovascular-thoracic Surgery - Correction of heart and
great vessels
Dermatology - Skin, hair and nails
Ear/Nose/Throat - Head
and neck tumors, airway problems
Endocrinology - Hormones and
metabolism
Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and
Nutrition - digestion,
nutrition, liver function, and neonatal hemochromatosis
Genetics, birth defects and
metabolism
- metabolic disorders and inherited conditions
Hematology/Oncology -
Blood and cancer
Medical Imaging
- Fetal MRI and sonogram for special
visualization
Rheumatology - Immune and musculoskeletal
problems
Infectious Disease - Infections affecting baby before
birth
Kidney Diseases - (Nephrology)
Neonatology (Neonatal Intensive Care
Unit)
- the care of critically ill newborns
Neurology - Brain and nerve
function
Neurosurgery - Spine, brain, and skull
Ophthalmology - Eye and
socket
Orthopedics - Bones, joints, and spine
Pediatric Surgery - Neck,
chest, abdomen and their contents
Plastic Surgery - Cleft lip/palate, face
and hand
Pulmonary - Lung, cystic fibrosis
Transplants - Heart, kidney,
liver and stem cells
Urology - Kidneys, bladder and external reproductive
organs
Virtually all of the many surgical and medical specialties at Children's
Memorial Hospital are available for prenatal consultation when problems have
been identified. The program coordinator can answer questions about the scope of
each specialty and the choice of consultants required.