Volumes and outcomes: fetal anomalies
Experience Matters: Fetal Diagnosis Volumes and Outcomes
Since opening in 1995, the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment (CFDT) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has cared for more than 34,000 expectant parents from all 50 states and more than 70 countries.
Our multidisciplinary team has the world's greatest collective experience treating fetuses and infants with congenital anomalies.
Many of the fetal anomalies we treat at the CFDT are quite rare; a physician may encounter only one or two cases in an entire career, while our team sees and treats these complex anomalies every day. This experience helps us to provide the best possible care for your baby.
Conditions treated
As part of one of the top-ranked and largest children’s hospitals in the U.S., we have a high volume of patients and treat the full range of fetal anomalies
Our large patient volume and the diversity of cases we see every day give us a depth and breadth of experience that helps us provide the best care possible.
By the Numbers
More than 34,004
patients referred to the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment
More than 23,453
patients evaluated at the Center
2,445
fetal surgeries performed at the Center (before birth)
6,832
deliveries in the Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit since opening in June 2008.
All numbers except deliveries reflect data from July 1995 to February 2025 at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
Types of birth defects, by percentage and number, referred to the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment (CFDT) at CHOP (1995 - February 2025). Congenital heart disease is evaluated by the Fetal Heart Program, in collaboration with the CFDT.
Fetal surgery procedures
Our team has performed more than 2,445 fetal surgeries, more than any other hospital in the world.
The following chart breaks down our team's fetal surgery experience performing many highly complex surgical interventions.
Fetal Surgeries for Congenital Anomalies
This chart showcases the number and types of fetal surgery procedures performed at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment between 1995 and February 2025.
Total cases: 2,445
Prenatal surgery is not indicated in all cases. Many other patients with fetal anomalies are treated surgically after birth by CHOP's multidisciplinary team of experts.
Fetal myelomeningocele repair outcomes
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was one of three clinical centers to participate in the seven-year Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS). This information compares our experience with fetal myelomeningocele (MMC) repair since the MOMS results were announced in December 2010.
Complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies
Our team cares for a high volume of monochorionic twin pregnancies each year. Since 1995, more than 4,745 complicated multiple gestation pregnancies have been referred to the Wood Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment. This experience helps to continuously expand our understanding of these complex pregnancies and our ability to differentiate between conditions such as twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR), and twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence.
A quick look at our patient volumes and outcomes prove the Center is a nationally recognized resource for evaluation and treatment of complicated twin pregnancies — specifically those affected by twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
Based on data from the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - 1995 through February 2025.
Based on data from the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - 1995 through February 2025.
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If you are a physician or patient seeking an evaluation for a suspected fetal abnormality, we are here to help.
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The Wood Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment has cared for many families and will help you through your journey, too.