Fetal Medicine Speciality

Fetal medicine specializes in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of conditions affecting the fetus during pregnancy, including genetic abnormalities, developmental problems, and birth defects, often involving advanced prenatal testing and intrauterine interventions. Medkins Healthcare makes finding the right Fetal Medicine in India easy by guiding you to top specialists and hospitals or Clinics, and supporting you throughout your treatment journey.

1. Fetal Diagnosis and Screening

Conditions:
– Genetic abnormalities (like Down Syndrome)
– Neural tube defects (like Spina bifida)
– Congenital heart defects
– Chromosomal abnormalities
– Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
– Fetal infections (like Cytomegalovirus, Toxoplasmosis)
– Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)
– Fetal anemia
– Fetal hydrops
– Structural malformations (like cleft lip/palate, limb abnormalities)

Treatments/Procedures:

Ultrasound Screening: Routine and advanced scans (NT scan, anomaly scan, 3D/4D scans)
Fetal MRI: Imaging for detailed views of the fetal anatomy, particularly the brain and spinal cord
Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT): Screening for chromosomal abnormalities using maternal blood.
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): A diagnostic procedure to analyze the genetic material of the fetus
Amniocentesis: Collection of amniotic fluid to detect chromosomal abnormalities, neural tube defects, and infections
Fetal Echocardiography: Specialized ultrasound to assess fetal heart structure and function

2. Fetal Growth and Developmental Abnormalities

Conditions:
– IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction)
– Macrosomia (excessive fetal growth)
– Skeletal dysplasia
– Fetal weight discordance in twins

Treatments/Procedures:

Doppler Ultrasound: Monitoring blood flow in the umbilical artery and other fetal vessels
Fetal Monitoring: Non-stress tests (NST) and biophysical profiles (BPP) to assess fetal well-being.
Fetal Doppler Flow Studies: Assessment of fetal circulation, especially in IUGR

3. Fetal Cardiology

Conditions:
– Congenital heart defects (like Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, Transposition of the great arteries)
– Arrhythmias (abnormal fetal heart rhythm)
– Fetal heart block
– Ventricular septal defects (VSD)
– Atrial septal defects (ASD)

Treatments/Procedures:

Fetal Echocardiography: Detailed ultrasound of the fetal heart
Intrauterine Fetal Therapy: In rare cases, treatment of fetal arrhythmias or heart defects in utero

4. Fetal Genetic and Metabolic Disorders Conditions:

Chromosomal abnormalities (like Trisomy 21, Trisomy 18, Turner Syndrome)
Metabolic disorders (like Gaucher’s disease, Tay-Sachs disease)
Cystic fibrosis
Muscular dystrophy

Treatments/Procedures:

Genetic Counseling: For families with a history of genetic disorders or abnormal screening results
Fetal Therapy: In rare cases, enzyme replacement or treatment of metabolic disorders in utero

5. Fetal Neurology Conditions:

Neural tube defects (like Spina bifida, Anencephaly)
Brain malformations (like Holoprosencephaly, Ventriculomegaly)
Hydrocephalus (fluid accumulation in the brain)
Microcephaly
Seizures

Treatments/Procedures:

Fetal MRI: Advanced imaging of the fetal brain and spinal cord

6. Fetal Surgery Conditions:

Spina bifida
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)
TTTS (Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome)
Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT)
Fetal tumors

7. Multiple Pregnancies Conditions:

Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS)
Selective IUGR in twins
Monochorionic twin pregnancies (twins sharing a placenta)
Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion (TRAP)

Treatments & Procedures:

Laser Ablation Therapy: For TTTS to seal abnormal blood vessel connections in the shared placenta
Selective Fetal Reduction: In cases of severe discordance or life-threatening anomalies in one fetus
Monitoring: Frequent ultrasounds to track fetal growth and amniotic fluid levels.

8. Fetal Hydrops and Anemia Conditions:

Fetal hydrops (severe swelling caused by fluid accumulation in the fetus)
Isoimmunization (like Rh incompatibility leading to fetal anemia)
Parvovirus B19 infection causing fetal anemia

Treatments & Procedures:

Intrauterine Blood Transfusion: For cases of fetal anemia or hydrops caused by Rh disease or infection
Amnioreduction: Removal of excess amniotic fluid in cases of hydrops
Monitoring: Close monitoring of amniotic fluid levels, Doppler ultrasound for fetal anemia.

9. Fetal Infections Conditions:

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection
Toxoplasmosis
Rubella
Zika virus
Syphilis
Varicella (chickenpox)

Treatments & Procedures:

Fetal Monitoring:Ultrasound and blood tests to monitor for signs of infection or fetal damage
Intrauterine Treatments: In some cases, treatment may include antiviral therapy for certain infections.

10. Placental and Amniotic Fluid Complications Conditions:

Placental insufficiency
Placenta previa
Placenta accreta, increta, or percreta
Polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid)
Oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid)

Treatments & Procedures:

Amniocentesis: Diagnostic testing or removal of excess amniotic fluid
Amnioinfusion: Introduction of fluid into the amniotic sac to manage oligohydramnios.
Fetal Surveillance: Doppler studies, non-stress tests, and biophysical profiles to monitor fetal health.

11. Preterm Birth and Fetal Lung Immaturity Conditions:

Preterm labor
Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants
Incomplete fetal lung development

Treatments & Procedures:

Cervical Cerclage: A procedure to prevent preterm labor in women with a short cervix
Antenatal Steroids: To accelerate fetal lung development in cases of anticipated preterm birth.
Fetal Lung Maturity Testing: Amniocentesis to assess fetal lung development.

12. Fetal Tumors Conditions:

Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT)
Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM)
Fetal lung masses
Congenital neuroblastoma

Treatments & Procedures:

Fetoscopic or Open Fetal Surgery: Removal or management of tumors.
Monitoring: Serial ultrasounds to track the growth and impact of fetal tumors.

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