Wood Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Patient Stories

Michael Jr. was one of the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment’s first patients, where he had surgery to repair a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).

Olivia and Stella were diagnosed in utero with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a life-threatening condition in which blood circulates unequally between the twins.

During a routine ultrasound, Tara and Travis Markel learned that their baby’s bladder was the size of his head, indicating a serious birth defect. Their research led them to the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

While still in the womb, Natalie's heart was already clogged with calcium. Her parents knew it didn't look good. They sought help from national experts in fetal cardiac conditions at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Emma’s family traveled from Toronto to Philadelphia to seek prenatal treatment for their unborn daughter, who was prenatally diagnosed with spina bifida.

When Anna was 18 weeks pregnant, she discovered one of twins she was carrying had omphalocele, a rare, potentially life-threatening birth defect.

Much research has been done about helping children survive pregnancy with twin-twin transfusion syndrome, but little research has addressed ongoing challenges these children may face. To address that need, the Epsteins and the Conway Family Foundation have funded a multiyear study at CHOP . 

When Ronni and Chris learned their unborn daughter had congenital diaphragmatic hernia and would need specialized treatment after birth, they were glad to know they could deliver her at the Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.