Archive for fetal medicine
Piecing together the preterm infant microbiome
The human microbiome — the collection of microbes living in the gut — is now recognized as an important contributor to health and disease. The environment, the host, and microbe-microbe interactions are all likely to shape the microbiome’s dynamics, but the unique roles of each are not well understood. Now, a Boston Children’s Hospital infectious ... Read More about Piecing together the preterm infant microbiome
Innovative new shunt delivery system holds promise for treatment of fetal urinary tract obstruction
Urinary tract obstruction that occurs in utero can have serious consequences for the fetus. Such obstructions can block the flow of fetal urine, which makes up amniotic fluid. Without adequate levels of amniotic fluid, a fetus may not develop properly, especially in terms of the fetal lungs. Fetal urinary tract obstructions can range from mild ... Read More about Innovative new shunt delivery system holds promise for treatment of fetal urinary tract obstruction
Tagged: fetal medicine, MFCC, urology
Therapy developed at Boston Children’s stops preeclampsia before it starts
Preeclampsia occurs in about 3 to 5 percent of all pregnancies. Characterized by very high maternal blood pressure, it can lead to serious, sometimes fatal, complications in both mother and baby. In severe cases, early delivery is often the only effective treatment, usually before the baby’s lungs are fully developed. Researchers within the Division of ... Read More about Therapy developed at Boston Children’s stops preeclampsia before it starts
Tagged: fetal medicine, newborn medicine, pregnancy, prematurity, stem cells
Tough yet flexible: Biologically inspired adhesive may improve fetal surgery
In children with spina bifida, the neural tube that forms the spinal cord and brain doesn’t close during early prenatal development. That leaves the nerves of the spinal cord exposed to potential damage from fetal movement and the surrounding amniotic fluid. While surgeons can repair spina bifida soon after birth, the ideal would be to ... Read More about Tough yet flexible: Biologically inspired adhesive may improve fetal surgery
Natural killer cells: Protect the placenta cell but kill the infection
Infections that reach the placenta can lead to spontaneous abortions, intrauterine growth restriction, congenital abnormalities, and premature births. New research from the laboratory of Judy Lieberman, MD, PhD, and colleagues at Harvard University shows that a group of cells near the site where the placenta attaches to the uterine wall plays an essential role in ... Read More about Natural killer cells: Protect the placenta cell but kill the infection
A lifetime of care: Looking back with nurse Donna Morash
On August 30, Donna Morash, a registered nurse in the Boston Children’s Hospital Advanced Fetal Care Center (AFCC), will retire after 46 years of service to families. We asked her to share some of her favorite memories from her career at Boston Children’s. Why did you originally choose to work at Boston Children’s? I was ... Read More about A lifetime of care: Looking back with nurse Donna Morash
Tagged: fetal medicine, nursing
Fetal treatment for vein of Galen malformations
Vein of Galen malformations (VOGMs) are rare, life-threatening vascular malformations that often cause heart failure in neonates. The preferred postnatal treatment for VOGM is transarterial embolization [1]. Although often diagnosed in utero, currently no in utero treatments exist. The Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) at Boston Children’s Hospital and Brigham & Women’s Hospital have agreed that ... Read More about Fetal treatment for vein of Galen malformations
A note for my nurse
In honor of Nurses’ Week, we asked a few of our patients and their families to share what their favorite nurse means to them. Jack — Leah Frain, FNP “Leah is a kind and beautiful lady. She helps kids stop getting sick. I like giving her hugs. And kisses, too! My favorite memory of Leah ... Read More about A note for my nurse
Tagged: fetal medicine, midaortic syndrome, nursing, tracheomalacia
Daphne’s story: Lifting the fog on bladder exstrophy
The day of their 18-week prenatal appointment was the first day of the most difficult 18 months of Pam and Jon’s life. When the ultrasound technician couldn’t see their baby’s bladder, they were sent home to try again later. They had so many questions, plus a 2-year-old daughter, their careers, and a house to take ... Read More about Daphne’s story: Lifting the fog on bladder exstrophy
Tagged: fetal medicine, MFCC, surgery, urology