Contents
- Intrauterine treatment – amniotic syndrome
- Intrauterine treatment – pulmonary sequestration
- Intrauterine treatment – spina bifida
- Intrauterine treatment – congenital cystic adenomatous disease (CCAM)
- Intrauterine treatment – congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- Prenatal tests for congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- Intrauterine treatment – pulmonary agenesis
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Extensive diagnostic tools have enabled doctors to monitor fetal development more closely. This knowledge helped develop new ways to help babies earlier in the womb. Today, fetal therapy is one of the most promising fields of medicine, and prenatal surgery has become the hope for babies with birth defects.
Intrauterine treatment – amniotic syndrome
Amniotic syndrome occurs when a baby becomes entangled in the womb with fibrous amniotic bands, restricting blood flow and affecting its development. The amniotic syndrome can lead to many birth defects depending on which part of the body it affects.
If the strand fits snugly against a limb, there is a risk that the baby will be born with less than an arm, a shorter leg, or missing fingers or toes. If the strand is on the baby’s face, it can cause a cleft lip and palate. The amniotic syndrome is also the cause of numerous miscarriages.
In the case of a mild stage, fetal surgery is not recommended. Any complications will be treated after delivery. A reconstructive surgery will be performed. All cases of amniotic syndrome should be monitored during pregnancy ultrasound. If the situation is serious, your doctor will consider prenatal surgery. In doing so, it will take into account the risks to the mother and the fetus.
Intrauterine treatment – pulmonary sequestration
Pulmonary sequestration is also known as bronchopulmonary sequestration. It is a cystic part of abnormal lung tissue. It usually occurs next to the lung or within one part of the lung. The abnormal tissue can be microcystic (containing many small cysts) or macrocystic (containing several large cysts).
Pulmonary sequestrations vary in size. They can change during pregnancy. Experts don’t know what causes them. There are several types of cystic lung disease, including congenital cystic adenomatous disease.
Pulmonary sequestration is diagnosed with a fetal ultrasound which shows the weight in the baby’s chest. The mass can move the heart out of its normal position or push the diaphragm down. However, the key feature of sequestration is the artery that leads from the cystic mass directly to the aorta. It is precisely this that distinguishes pulmonary sequestration from congenital cystic adenomatous disease.
- Read more on pregnancy ultrasound
Intrauterine treatment – spina bifida
During fetal spina bifida surgery, the surgeon opens the uterus and sutures the opening in the baby’s back while it is still in the womb. Spinal cord injury progresses during pregnancy. Therefore, such an operation in the prenatal period plays an extremely important role. It protects against further damage. It is one of the most exciting advances in the history of the treatment of birth defects.
There are a number of criteria that must be met in order to proceed with this procedure. However, research shows that it may offer better results than traditional postnatal surgery. It reduces the need to direct fluid to the brain. It also improves mobility and increases the chances that the child will be able to walk independently.
- Find out more about Spina Bifida
Intrauterine treatment – congenital cystic adenomatous disease (CCAM)
The lungs are divided into lobes, three on the right and two on the left. CCAM, or congenital adenomatous cystic disease, is an abnormality of one or more lobes. A fluid-filled form called a cyst is then formed. It doesn’t work like normal lung tissue. A congenital cystic adenomatous defect develops with equal frequency on both sides of the lungs. However, it rarely occurs on both sides.
Most CCAMs are shrinking or small enough not to cause a problem. However, unusually large cysts can be very serious. Then prenatal surgery is indicated. Most cases of congenital cystic adenomatous disease are diagnosed by fetal ultrasound.
Intrauterine treatment – congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia occurs when the muscle of the diaphragm (that separates the chest from the abdomen) does not close during prenatal development. Then the contents from the abdomen migrate to the chest through this opening.
When the abdominal organs are in the chest, the lungs are restricted in their growth capacity. Then there are difficulties with the blood supply to the lungs and pulmonary hypertension. There is also an increased risk of asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, eating disorders and developmental delay. It can be life threatening.
Prenatal tests for congenital diaphragmatic hernia
High-resolution ultrasound is performed by specialists and often takes up to 2 hours. Can confirm the diagnosis and diagnosis site. It will also identify any additional developmental defects, determine the size of the lungs. It will also calculate the lung-to-head ratio and determine the position of the liver.
A lung echo can tell if there are any structural defects in the heart. It can sometimes be difficult to do when the abdominal organs are in the chest. They cause oppression of the heart.
Fetal MRI provides further anatomical details about the position of the liver.
Intrauterine treatment – pulmonary agenesis
A rare, non-synchronous respiratory or mediastinal defect is characterized by a one-sided complete absence of pulmonary tissue, bronchi, and pulmonary vessels. It can be independent or associated with congenital malformations, most often with heart anomalies. The most common symptoms of pulmonary agnesia include narrowing of the airways, stridor, respiratory failure, recurrent respiratory infections, and pulmonary hypertension.
- Find out more about prenatal testing
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