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Volumes and outcomes: fetal anomalies

Volumes and outcomes: fetal anomalies

Experience Matters: Fetal Diagnosis Volumes and Outcomes

Since opening in 1995, the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment (CFDT) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has cared for more than 33,356 expectant parents from all 50 states and more than 70 countries.

Our multidisciplinary team has the world's greatest collective experience treating fetuses and infants with congenital anomalies.

Many of the fetal anomalies we treat at the CFDT are quite rare; a physician may encounter only one or two cases in an entire career, while our team sees and treats these complex anomalies every day. This experience helps us to provide the best possible care for your baby.

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Conditions treated

As part of one of the top-ranked and largest children’s hospitals in the U.S., we have a high volume of patients and treat the full range of fetal anomalies

Our large patient volume and the diversity of cases we see every day give us a depth and breadth of experience that helps us provide the best care possible.

By the Numbers

More than 33,356  
patients referred to the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment 

More than 23,002  
patients evaluated at the Center 

2,397  
fetal surgeries performed at the Center (before birth) 

6,720 
deliveries in the Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit since opening in June 2008.

All numbers except deliveries reflect data from July 1995 to October 2024 at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Types of birth defects, by percentage and number, referred to the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment (CFDT) at CHOP (1995 - October 2024). Congenital heart disease is evaluated by the Fetal Heart Program, in collaboration with the CFDT.

Fetal surgery procedures

Our team has performed more than 2,397 fetal surgeries, more than any other hospital in the world.

The following chart breaks down our team's fetal surgery experience performing many highly complex surgical interventions.

Fetal Surgeries for Congenital Anomalies

This chart showcases the number and types of fetal surgery procedures performed at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment between 1995 and October 2024.

Total cases: 2,397

Prenatal surgery is not indicated in all cases. Many other patients with fetal anomalies are treated surgically after birth by CHOP's multidisciplinary team of experts.

Fetal myelomeningocele repair outcomes

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was one of three clinical centers to participate in the seven-year Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS). This information compares our experience with fetal myelomeningocele (MMC) repair since the MOMS results were announced in December 2010.

See CHOP's fetal MMC repair outcomes »

Complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies

Our team cares for a high volume of monochorionic twin pregnancies each year. Since 1995, more than 4,672 complicated multiple gestation pregnancies have been referred to the Wood Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment. This experience helps to continuously expand our understanding of these complex pregnancies and our ability to differentiate between conditions such as twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR), and twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence.

A quick look at our patient volumes and outcomes prove the Center is a nationally recognized resource for evaluation and treatment of complicated twin pregnancies — specifically those affected by twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Based on data from the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - 1995 through October 2024.

Based on data from the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - 1995 through October 2024.

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If you are a physician or patient seeking an evaluation for a suspected fetal abnormality, we are here to help.

Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment A Tour

Tour our center

The Wood Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment has cared for many families and will help you through your journey, too.

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