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• Prenatal Diagnosis
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• Fetal Treatment Program
• Prematurity Program
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Fetal Treatment Program

The full service Fetal Treatment Program at The Ohio State University offers diagnostic testing and interventions with the goal of improving neonatal outcomes for select complications of pregnancy.  The Fetal Treatment team consists of Dr. Richard O'Shaughnessy and colleagues as well as Karen Rossi, RN program manager. The Transfusion Services Prenatal Reference Laboratory and the Laser Center provide support services.

Complications of pregnancy that are diagnosed and evaluated for treatment by this team include:

• Maternal red blood cell alloimmunization
• Maternal platelet alloimmunization
• Twin-twin transfusion syndrome
• Fetal bladder outlet obstruction
• Non-immune hydrops fetalis
• Fetal pleural effusions
• Fetal ascites
• Other abnormalities that may be amenable to in-utero treatment

Available procedures include:

• Amniocentesis, amnioinfusion: removal of amniotic fluid for testing or as a treatment
• Cordocentesis: fetal blood sampling from the umbilical vein
• Fetal cystocentesis, thoracentesis or paracentesis: removal of abnormal fluid collections in the fetus
• Intrauterine transfusions: blood transfusion to the fetus through the umbilical vein
• Laser photocoagulation of placental vessels for twin twin transfusion: a therapy offered at only select centers to definitively treat this complication of identical twins
• Septostomy and amnioreduction: other therapies for twin twin transfusion syndrome
• Fetal shunt placements: placement of indwelling shunts in the fetus to treat certain complications
• Ex utero intrapartum deliveries (EXIT): a surgical delivery that allows time to establish an airway in infants with possible airway obstruction
• Radiofrequency ablation: use of this energy to ablate circulation to abnormal growths in the fetus

These procedures are performed at The Ohio State University Medical Center in labor and delivery with support from several hospital services and skilled staff members. 

Ohio State has been recognized for decades for it's excellence in caring for women with blood cell alloimmunization during pregnancy.  This regional management of alloimmunization allows for prevention of severely ill fetuses through early diagnosis, regular monitoring and rapid intervention.  An interdisciplinary Alloimmunization Committee meets weekly to make recommendations for patient care based on OB history and serum samples.  This allows the majority of women to continue receiving their OB care from their local obstetrician.  If advanced monitoring or treatments are required, the patient's referral to Ohio State is seamless because she is already known to the committee.  An average of 100-200 patients receive consultations annually for blood cell antibodies in pregnancy using maternal serum titers sent to OSU's Prenatal Reference Laboratory. 
Ohio State's Fetal Treatment Program is a member of the North American Fetal Treatment Network, a voluntary association of medical centers in the United States and Canada with established expertise in fetal surgery and other forms of multidisciplinary care for complex disorders of the fetus. 
Ohio State is also a member of the Columbus Fetal Medicine Collaborative, a joint program between local hospitals and Nationwide Children's Hospital that provides comprehensive care for families diagnosed with a fetal abnormality by specialists and specialized services from all institutions.  
   

Fetal Clinic appointments may made by calling 614-293-2222.