Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Health

Maternal and Fetal Medicine

Center for Advanced Fetal Care

New: Fetal Therapy Web site
The Center for Advanced Fetal Care Debuts Expanded Facilities

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The Center for Advanced Fetal Care is a world-class clinical and research facility dedicated to the care of the fetal patient and the unborn baby's family. The Center has rapidly gained a reputation as the premier resource in the region for state-of-the-art perinatology -- the care and support of the unborn child.

The Center is your first choice in the evaluation and treatment of fetal abnormalities. By testing and identifying fetal abnormalities as early as possible, you give your baby the best opportunity for treatment and proper care after birth.

Our team of world-renowned physicians and researchers has performed more than 3,000 successful intrauterine fetal procedures, among them hundreds of life-saving fetal transfusions, drainage procedures, intrauterine shunt catheters and other fetal surgery. The Center's experts have a long history of research and innovation in fetal therapy, both invasive and noninvasive.

We performed the first fetal bladder shunts and were the first to develop intravascular fetal transfusions on this continent. So, it is not surprising that the Center is the first in Maryland to offer fetoscopy -- a procedure in which a tiny fiberoptic camera provides direct visualization of the fetus. Intrauterine surgery using lasers on the cord and placenta are important steps forward in treatment of severe complications of multiple pregnancies such as twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. The Center is a founding member of the North American Fetal Therapy Network.

From advanced imaging using 3-D ultrasound, 4-D color vascular imaging, and fetal MRI to direct biopsies of rare fetal tumors to life-saving fetal therapy at the earliest possible stages, we use the most comprehensive resources available with one goal: give parents and obstetric caregivers the knowledge to make informed decisions about the future. Within an integrated team of perinatologists, geneticists, neonatologists and pediatric surgeons, the Center for Advanced Fetal Care focuses the talent and technology you and your unborn child need.

Is Your Baby at Risk?

If you have detected a problem with your unborn child or you are at risk for developing a problem based on your personal medical history, The Center for Advanced Fetal Care can help. Those risks include:

Family history, such as single gene disorder
Congenital heart disease, mental retardation, or other syndromes
Advanced maternal age
Abnormal triple screen or abnormal ultrasound
Multiple gestation (twins or more!)
Congenital infection, such as Fifth disease (parvovirus)
Intrauterine growth restriction
Abnormal amniotic fluid
Maternal medical problems affecting baby

Diagnostic Services

Three-dimensional ultrasound, multivessal fetal Doppler and first trimester fetal echocardiography are hallmarks of our innovative approach to fetal medicine in the 21st century. As the first team in the region certified for first trimester nuchal translucency screening, we initiated reliable, non-invasive ultrasound screening for Down's syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. Our full range of services that can detect fetal abnormalities include:

Targeted two-dimensional ultrasound imaging
Blood flow studies
Endovaginal ultrasound
3-D Reconstruction and Fetal MRI
Multiformat Fetal Echo
Invasive testing
CVS at 11-14 weeks
Amniocentesis 15 weeks to term
Fetal blood sampling - cordocentesis
Diagnostic amnioinfusion, fetal biopsy
PCR (polymerase chain reaction) diagnosis of fetal infection, blood type, etc.
Molecular biologic testing for single gene disorders
Rapid karyotype

Treatment Options

For some patients and conditions, the fetus requires immediate treatment. Services offered around-the-clock include:

Fetal blood transfusion
Treatment of fetal thrombocytopenia
Percutaneous shunt placement
Minimally invasive fetal surgery
Treatment of fetal heart failure
Treatment of fetal hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism
Treatment of fetal infection
Drug therapy
Gene therapy
Fetoscopic electrocautery
Intranterine laser surgery for Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS)

For more information or to make an appointment, please call 410-328-6640 or toll-free at 866-608-4228.

This page was last updated on: March 31, 2009.