Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Current News & Research

Research in Fetal Therapy

The UCSF Fetal Treatment Center has been on the forefront of fetal treatment research since it's inception. The first open fetal surgery in the world was performed at UCSF over 2 decades ago and we continue to dedicate ourselves to research and innovation.

Fetal Treatment Center in the News

Current CDH Research

• Effect of tracheal occlusion on fetal lung growth and development
• Techniques of temporary tracheal occlusion
• Development of small animal models
• Effect of tracheal occlusion on surfactant production
• Optimal timing and duration of tracheal occlusion
• Prognostic indicators for fetal CDH:  the lung-head ratio (LHR)

• Effects of Prenatal Tracheal Occlusion on Lung Growth a and Differentiation in a Rat Model of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia - Nobuhara, Kerilyn

  Study analyzing the use of fetal surgery in the use of tracheal occlusion in the treatment of CDH

  Publications:

  Grethel EJ, Nobuhara KK. Fetal surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia. J Paediatr Child Health. 2006 Mar;42(3):79-85.

  Jani J, Keller RL, Benachi A, Nicolaides KH, Favre R, Gratacos E, Laudy J, Eisenberg V, Eggink A, Vaast P, Deprest J; Antenatal-CDH-Registry Group. Prenatal prediction of survival in isolated left-sided diaphragmatic hernia. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Jan;27(1):18-22

  Cortes RA, Keller RL, Townsend T, Harrison MR, Farmer DL, Lee H, Piecuch RE, Leonard CH, Hetherton M, Bisgaard R, Nobuhara KK. Survival of severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia has morbid consequences. J Pediatr Surg. 2005 Jan;40(1):36-45.

  Keller RL, Hawgood S, Neuhaus JM, Farmer DL, Lee H, Albanese CT, Harrison MR, Kitterman JA. Infant pulmonary function in a randomized trial of fetal tracheal occlusion for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Pediatr Res. 2004 Nov;56(5):818-25.

  Harrison MR, Keller RL, Hawgood SB, Kitterman JA, Sandberg PL, Farmer DL, Lee H, Filly RA, Farrell JA, Albanese CT. A randomized trial of fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion for severe fetal congenital diaphragmatic hernia. N Engl J Med. 2003 Nov 13;349(20):1916-24.

Current General Fetal Treatment Research

• Preterm Labor Factors in Patients Undergoing Fetal Surgery - Lee, Hanmin

  Study analyzing fetal surgery and preterm labor.

• Maternal Outcomes of Fetal Surgery - Lee, Hanmin

  Study analyzing the maternal risks of fetal surgical interventions.

  Publications:

  Golombeck K, Ball RH, Lee H, Farrell JA, Farmer DL, Jacobs VR, Rosen MA, Filly RA, Harrison MR. Maternal morbidity after maternal-fetal surgery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006 Mar;194(3):834-9.

• Adhesive and Tensile Properties of Amniotic Membranes - Harrison, Michael

  Examination of a novel preventive “presealant” to protect amniotic membranes during fetal surgery.

  Publications:

  Cortes RA, Wagner AJ, Lee H, Clifton MS, Grethel E, Yang SH, Ball R, Harrison MR. Pre-emptive placement of a presealant for amniotic access. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2005 Sep;193(3 Pt 2):1197-203

• Evaluation of Thoracoscopic and Laparoscopic Techniques for Pediatric and Fetal Congenital Defects - Lee, Hanmin

  Study evaluting recent advances in fetal treatment.

  Publications:

  Cortes RA, Farmer DL. Recent advances in fetal surgery. Semin Perinatol. 2004 Jun;28(3):199-211.

  Ball RH. Invasive fetal testing. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2004 Apr;16(2):159-62