Fetal Therapy Professional Resources
Referring a patient outside your care is an act of trust. We take this responsibility very seriously and welcome a partnership with you to confirm your patient's diagnosis, establish a care plan based on that diagnosis, and communicate regularly with you about your patient's treatment. We’ve developed a variety of resources designed to give you and your patients all the information and support you need.
If you have any questions about these resources, training opportunities, or ways we can help your patients, please don’t hesitate to reach us by phone or by using our online contact form.
Fetal Firesides Virtual CE Lecture Series
Our virtual, interactive CE lecture series provides updates on the latest advances in fetal diagnostic criteria and optimal management to enhance clinical skills in prenatal diagnosis, counseling and treatment. See upcoming session dates and topics.
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Referral Guidelines
Referring a Patient to the CFDT
If you are a physician or patient seeking an evaluation for a suspected fetal abnormality, the Center team is here to help. Learn more about the information we’ll need from you and what happens next.
Fetal Surgery Guidelines for Prenatal MMC Repair
Mothers must meet specific requirements to be considered for fetal surgery for myelomeningocele, the most severe form of spina bifida. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia follows these guidelines to determine who qualifies for prenatal repair.
Guidelines for Prenatal Treatment of Severe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) is available as a treatment option for unborn babies with the most severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia. It is reserved for cases in which our team predicts the baby may not otherwise survive past delivery. Learn more about the circumstances in which FETO may or may not be an option.
Case Studies
The following case studies examine the implications of specific diagnoses in a developing fetus.
- Abdominal Wall Defect Case Study
- Fetal Lower Urinary Tract Obstruction (LUTO) Case Study
- Fetal Sacrococcygeal Teratoma (SCT) Case Study
- Fetal Surgery for Pericardial Teratoma
- Fetal Surgery for Spina Bifida Case Study
- Gender Discrepancy Case Study
- Thoracoscopic Lobectomy for Asymptomatic CCAM
- Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion (TRAP) Sequence Case Study
- Twin-twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) Case Study
Condition-specific Resources and Flip Charts
In these condition-focused physician toolkits you'll find resources for clinicians seeking information about the evaluation and management of specific diagnoses in a developing fetus.
- Lower urinary tract obstruction and complex genitourinary anomalies »
- Fetal lung lesions »
- Myelomeningocele »
- Complicated twin pregnancies »
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)
Find downloadable versions of all of our flip charts.
Publications
The following list of fetal treatment and fetal surgery publications will help you in your search for more information. Most are written by members of the team at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Find publications about:
- Abdominal wall defects
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)
- Congenital heart disease
- Congenital hyperinsulinism
- Pediatric surgery
- Fetal surgery for spina bifida
- Complicated twin pregnancies
- Fetal lung lesion and airway
- Fetal gene therapy
- Fetal intervention for obstructive uropathy
- Prenatal and postpartum psychosocial care
- Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT)
Fellowship and Elective
The Center offers two educational programs to maternal-fetal medicine specialists interested in learning more about the investigation and management of fetal disease.
Prenatal Diagnosis and Fetal Therapy Fellowship
As a fellow at the Wood Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, you will learn from some of the most experienced leaders and innovators in prenatal diagnosis and fetal interventions. Our team's collective experience in prenatal diagnosis and fetal interventions is among the largest in the world.
Information about our Fellowship in Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy »
One-Month Elective for Maternal-fetal Medicine Fellows
As a maternal-fetal medicine fellow in training at the Wood Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, you have the opportunity to learn from leaders in maternal-fetal therapy and treatment during a 1-month elective in prenatal diagnosis and fetal therapy.
Information about our 1-month elective for Maternal-fetal Medicine fellows »
Continuing Education, Educational Activities & Conferences
We offer a variety of continuing education (CE) events for professionals interested in learning more about specific fetal conditions and surgical interventions.
Visit CHOP's education portal at www.chop.edu/fetal-courses to listen to recorded lectures on fetal diagnosis and treatment. These educational activities incorporate current evidence-based diagnostic techniques and the latest research to guide clinicians to perform optimal care and achieve better outcomes for patients.
In addition to CHOP-hosted multidisciplinary conferences, our faculty and staff serve as guest lecturers and presenters at grand rounds and professional conferences throughout the year.
Volumes and Outcomes
Because of the high volume of patients we see with the full spectrum of congenital anomalies, we are well-equipped to manage these complex conditions. This experience helps us achieve optimal patient outcomes. We are committed to providing volumes and outcomes data to help both our professional partners and patient families in their search for more information.
Research
Center for Fetal Research
The Center for Fetal Research is the research extension of the CFDT. Our investigators pursue basic and translational research to develop optimal prenatal treatment strategies for a wide variety of genetic and acquired disorders.
Prenatal Sickle Cell Disease Research
A pioneering procedure that would transplant a mother’s bone marrow stem cells into her developing fetus while the child is still in the womb has the potential to cure sickle cell disease before the baby is even born. Learn more about our prenatal sickle cell disease research.
Fetal Neuroprotection and Neuroplasticity Program
Building on the growing evidence of the interaction between congenital heart disease and brain development during the prenatal period, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia's Fetal Neuroprotection and Neuroplasticity Program investigates innovative prenatal therapies to protect fetal brain development and prevent brain injury as early as possible before birth.
Read more about our ongoing research efforts.
Clinical Pathways
CHOP’s Clinical Pathways Program incorporates evidence, best practices and expert consensus into easily accessible, shared care models for use at the point of care. Here are some pathways that were created: