Before we enter our next series on twins, we wanted to go give some background on fetal centers and what they are. In this episode we’ll discuss some basic background on fetal centers, fetal therapies, and fetal medicine by covering the following:
- Types of cases seen at a fetal center:
- 70% anomalies with coordination of care
- 20% fetal surgery or fetal intervention
- 10% life-limiting anomalies
- As of early 2023 there are currently about 37 fetal centers in the United States
- Of which about 14 are about to provide full fetal center services
- How national organizations have defined fetal centers
- The development of NAFNET – North American Fetal Treatment Network
- Full list of fetal interventions
- IUTs – Intrauterine Transfusion
- Lasers for twin-twin transfusion syndrome
- In-utero myelomeningocele / spina bifida repair
- Tracheal occlusion for congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- Which physician specialty specialties typically serve as director or head of fetal centers
- How the MOMS trial influenced the development and definition of fetal centers
- OB center & NICU center level designations (I, II, III, IV)
- Fetal center level designations (I, II, III)
- Legislature and committees that have formed to help create guidelines for fetal centers
- Areas the
