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.