Fetal research is a growing field aimed at diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the fetus in utero. The goals of fetal research are to improve fetal health outcomes, prevent the progression of disease, and minimize the need for postnatal surgery or long-term treatments.
Research Programs and Themes
Fetal intervention research is critically important now for several reasons. Advancements in technology and medicine such as fetal imaging allow for earlier and more precise diagnoses of congenital anomalies. This enables intervention during a critical developmental window when treatment can be most effective.
Minimally invasive technologies, with advances in fetoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery, reduce the risks to both mother and fetus, allowing safer and more effective procedures. Fetal research targets life-threatening conditions, thus addressing fetal mortality and morbidity. Preventing and/or treating severe birth defects and reducing the need for long-term treatments will improve population health and reduce long-term health care costs.
Fetal surgery and minimally invasive techniques for congenital disorders:
- Spina Bifida
- Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
- Gastroschisis
- Vasa Previa
- Anhydramnios
Fetal Diagnosis and Imaging:
- Advanced genetic testing to improve diagnosis
- Fetal MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and high-resolution ultrasound for accurate diagnosis and monitoring of fetal conditions
- 3D and 4D imaging
- Artificial Intelligence to improve diagnosis
Long-term Neurodevelopmental Outcomes:
- Innovative technology to collect long-term outcomes
- Maternal health related to fetal intervention and therapy
- Maternal mental and physical health
- Ethics of fetal intervention: risk–benefit balance
Device development:
- Miniaturized fetoscopic instruments and ultrasound-guided intervention tools to allow precise operations within the confined space of the womb
- Miniaturized fetal shunts and catheters for small organs and spaces
- Robotic-assisted fetal surgery systems
- Biomaterial integrated devices: amniotic scaffolds, tissue engineering, wound healing patches
- Gene delivery and therapeutic devices: microinjectors (viral and non-viral vectors), microscale drug delivery devices