Volumes and Outcomes: Fetal Anomalies

Experience Matters: Fetal Diagnosis Volumes and Outcomes

By the Numbers More than 32,015 patients referred to the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment More than 21,973 patients evaluated at the Center 2,328 fetal surgeries performed at the Center (before birth) 6,373 deliveries in the Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit since opening in June 2008. All numbers except deliveries reflect data from July 1995 to January 2024 at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. 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 30,426 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.

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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.

Conditions We Treat at the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment

Total cases: 32,015

 
Miscellaneous: 5,019
 
Complicated Multiples: 4,514
 
Neurologic Abnormality: 4,106
 
Congenital Heart Disease: 4,099
 
Myelomeningocele (Spina Bifida): 2,982
 
Genitourinary Defects: 2,993
 
Lung Lesion: 2,879
 
Gastrointestinal Anomalies: 2,459
 
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia:
1,938
 
Neck Mass: 572
 
Sacrococcygeal Teratoma: 398
 
Hematologic/Immune: 56

 

 

Types of birth defects, by percentage and number, referred to the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment (CFDT) at CHOP (1995 - January 2024). Congenital heart disease is evaluated by the Fetal Heart Program, in collaboration with the CFDT.

 

Fetal surgery procedures

Our team has performed more than 2,246 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 January 2024.

Total cases: 2,246

 
Fetoscopic procedures involving
multiples: 1,349
 
Open procedures for MMC,
SCT, CCAM: 496
 
Shunts - TA/VA/cystoscopy: 265
 
EXIT procedures: 116
 
Other: 95
 
Fetal cardiac procedures: 7

 

 

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.

See CHOP's fetal MMC repair outcomes »

Complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies

Our team cares for a high volume of monochorionic twin pregnancies each year. Since 1995, more than 4,514 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.

Complicated Twin Pregnancies: Referrals

Total Referrals: 4,514

 
TTTS (2,435 cases)
 
Other (1,732 cases)
 
TRAP (220 cases)
 
Conjoined (127 cases)

 

 

Based on data from the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - 1995 through January 2024.

 

Complicated Twin Pregnancies: Interventions

Total Interventions: 1,349

 
Selective Laser Photocoagulation (764 cases)
 
Radiofrequency Ablation (455 cases)
 
Cord Transsection (119 cases)
 
Fetoscopic Other (11 cases)

 

 

Based on data from the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - 1995 through January 2024.

 

Screenshot of CFDT tour video

Tour our Fetal Center

Watch this video tour to learn what to expect at your first visit to the Wood Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment.

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What to Expect

From the moment of referral through delivery and postnatal care, your family can expect a supportive experience when you come to us with a diagnosis of a birth defect.


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