Fetal intervention

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Fetal intervention involves in-utero medical treatment for a fetus—usually one suffering from some form of birth defect. There are several forms of fetal intervention from the most invasive, open fetal surgery, to less invasive forms like, fetendo and fetal image-guided surgery.

Fetal intervention is relatively new in medicine. Advanced technologies is allowing greater insight diagnosis of diseases and congenital problems in a fetus.

Generally, the majority of fetal problems do not require intervention. The few that do are generally related to anatomical problems and correcting them can make a difference in the future development of the fetus. Correcting them early on (prior to birth) will likely increase the odds of a healthy and relatively "normal" baby.

It is important to note that the mother bears as much, if not more, risk than the fetus during any form of fetal intervention. Besides the general risk that any surgery bears, there is also a risk to the health of the mother's uterus, potentially limiting her ability for future children.