Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center

The Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center is located at Magee-Womens Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. The center provides a multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation of pregnancies identified with birth defects. The center offers families the services of specialists in all services that may be needed for diagnosis and treatment, including:

• Ultrasound
• High-risk pregnancy management
• Genetic counseling
• Newborn medicine
• Pediatric cardiology
• Pediatric surgery
• Pediatric urology
• Pediatric neurosurgery
• Fetal MRI
• Bioethics
• Pastoral care

This team approach allows for evaluation and precise diagnosis and management of complicated conditions. A continuum of care is provided that extends from the time of diagnosis to delivery and into the newborn period.

Since 1981, in-the-womb surgery has been used for a variety of conditions, including spina bifida, heart and circulatory problems, hernias, intestinal blockages, selected tumors and other malformations. Newly developed minimally invasive techniques have helped to reduce the risk of surgical intervention with the use of small needles and cameras to enter the womb and, sometimes, the fetus, to try to fix a developing problem.

Using high-resolution ultrasound, center physicians are able to detect fetal anomalies earlier in pregnancy and with much greater accuracy. When a problem is found, the multidisciplinary team with pediatric specialists and others establishes a treatment plan. Center physicians care for a wide range of conditions, including:

• Spina bifida
• Gastroschisis
• Omphalocele
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
• Down syndrome
• Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation
• Posterior urethal valves
• Fetal heart defects

Referral Requirements

Patients can be referred to the center's patient care coordinator by the referring physician, or patients can self-refer. Prior submission of records by fax is recommended for optimal consideration. Referring physicians will receive a letter outlining complete findings and recommendations. Center physicians will return the patient to the referring physician’s care or may co-manage the pregnancy with the referring physician and assist in the timing and location of delivery and coordination of services.