Developing Fetal Medicine, Saving Children In Utero
- HANOI (AP) — Advances in fetal medicine are enabling doctors in Vietnam too perform life-saving interventions on unborn babies, according to prof.
- Fetal medicine is a rapidly growing field gaining increased global attention, Anh noted.
- Anh highlighted that even with fetuses weighing as little as 800-900 grams, whose hearts are no larger than a fingertip, doctors can now intervene to repair heart defects...
Fetal Medicine Advances Save Babies in Utero in Vietnam
Table of Contents
- Fetal Medicine Advances Save Babies in Utero in Vietnam
- Fetal Medicine in Vietnam: Your Questions Answered
- What is Fetal Medicine?
- what are the Latest Advances in Fetal Medicine in Vietnam?
- How Do These Interventions Help Babies?
- What Hospitals in Vietnam Offer Fetal Medicine Services?
- What kind of expertise do Vietnamese doctors have?
- Who is Leading These Advancements?
- Are there any new centers planned?
- What are the Costs of these treatments like?
- What was discussed at the Third Annual fetal medicine Conference?
- Key takeaways from the Conference:
- What is the Future of Fetal Medicine in Vietnam?
HANOI (AP) — Advances in fetal medicine are enabling doctors in Vietnam too perform life-saving interventions on unborn babies, according to prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Anh, director of the Central Hospital of Obstetrics. Anh shared this data at the Third Annual Fetal Medicine Conference held may 24 in Hanoi.
Fetal medicine is a rapidly growing field gaining increased global attention, Anh noted.
Intrauterine Interventions Offer Hope
Anh highlighted that even with fetuses weighing as little as 800-900 grams, whose hearts are no larger than a fingertip, doctors can now intervene to repair heart defects while the baby is still in the womb.
Specifically, doctors at Tu Du Hospital and Children’s Hospital 1 in Ho chi Minh city have collaborated to perform transuterine cardiac catheterization. This procedure involves inserting instruments into the fetus to treat serious heart defects. To date, at least five babies have undergone this procedure at Tu Du Hospital.
Expanding Possibilities in Fetal treatment
Previously, the uterus and amniotic cavity were considered off-limits for intervention. Though, modern medicine now allows for examinations and treatments of the fetus, including the use of robots, endoscopes, and lasers to correct fetal anomalies, Anh stated.
Call for Health Insurance Coverage
The cost of fetal intervention treatments can be considerable, with some techniques costing hundreds of millions of Dongs due to the expense of medical equipment and materials. anh has proposed that health insurance should cover these interventions to alleviate the financial burden on families.
Growing Expertise in Vietnam
Several medical facilities in Vietnam are now proficient in fetal medicine, including the Central Maternity Hospital and Hanoi Maternity Hospital, in addition to Tu Du Hospital.
According to Anh, conditions such as fetus-fetal transfusion syndrome, amniotic band problems causing fetal defects, oligohydramnios, severe fetal anemia requiring blood transfusions, diaphragmatic hernia, pleural effusion, and hydronephrosis can now be successfully treated in utero.
New Fetal medicine Centre Planned
The Maternity Central Hospital plans to establish a dedicated fetal medicine center in june. The center’s objective is to collaborate with major obstetrics and gynecology hospitals nationwide to provide guidance on pregnancy management and ensure fetal interventions are performed when necessary.
Conference Highlights
The 3rd Annual Fetal Medicine Conference drew approximately 500 delegates, including leading national and international experts in fetal medicine, prenatal diagnosis, imaging, neonatology, and genetics.
The conference featured 12 scientific reports on topics such as fetal surgical interventions, laser surgery for fetus-fetal transfusion syndrome, and the management of complicated monocorionic twin pregnancies in Vietnam.
Attendees also received training in prenatal diagnostic procedures, amniotic-pleural and amniotic-venous drainage, fetal transfusion, and placental amnioscopic laser ablation.
Notably, Vietnamese doctors received training for the first time in the “fetus technique” – the placement and extraction of balloons for treating congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a complex technique previously available only at leading fetal medicine centers worldwide.
Fetal Medicine in Vietnam: Your Questions Answered
Are you curious about the latest advancements in fetal medicine and how they’re impacting the lives of babies in Vietnam? This Q&A-style article provides comprehensive answers based on the latest news from Hanoi.
What is Fetal Medicine?
Fetal medicine is a specialized branch of medicine focused on diagnosing, managing, and treating health problems in unborn babies (fetuses). It involves a range of techniques, including prenatal diagnosis, interventions, and surgery.
Why is Fetal Medicine Important?
Fetal medicine plays a critical role in detecting and addressing conditions before birth, giving babies the best possible start in life. Advances in fetal medicine have significantly improved outcomes for high-risk pregnancies and babies with congenital anomalies.
what are the Latest Advances in Fetal Medicine in Vietnam?
According to Prof. Dr. nguyen duy Anh, director of the Central Hospital of Obstetrics, advances in fetal medicine are enabling Vietnamese doctors to perform life-saving interventions on unborn babies. This progress was highlighted at the Third Annual Fetal Medicine Conference held in Hanoi.
What Specific Procedures are being performed?
Doctors in Vietnam are now able to perform several intrauterine interventions, including:
Transuterine cardiac catheterization: this procedure involves inserting instruments into the fetus to treat serious heart defects. To date, at least five babies have undergone this procedure at Tu Du Hospital.
Treatment of various conditions in utero: These include fetus-fetal transfusion syndrome, amniotic band problems causing fetal defects, oligohydramnios, severe fetal anemia requiring blood transfusions, diaphragmatic hernia, pleural effusion, and hydronephrosis.
How Do These Interventions Help Babies?
Intrauterine interventions offer hope by:
Allowing for treatment of serious conditions before birth: Addressing issues like heart defects, anemia, and other anomalies while the baby is still in the safest habitat possible.
Improving outcomes: By intervening early, doctors can possibly prevent further complications and improve the chances of survival and a healthy life for the baby.
can you give examples of the impact?
Babies with Congenital Heart Defects: Doctors can now repair heart defects in the womb.
Fetus-Fetal Transfusion Syndrome and Complicated Twin Pregnancies can be managed better.
What Hospitals in Vietnam Offer Fetal Medicine Services?
Several medical facilities in Vietnam are proficient in fetal medicine. These include:
Central Maternity Hospital
Hanoi Maternity Hospital
Tu Du Hospital
Children’s Hospital 1 (in collaboration with Tu Du Hospital)
What kind of expertise do Vietnamese doctors have?
Vietnamese doctors are gaining skills and experience in various fetal medicine techniques.Notably, they’ve received training for the “fetus technique” – the placement and extraction of balloons to treat congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a complex procedure previously available only in leading centers worldwide.
Who is Leading These Advancements?
Key figures and institutions driving progress include:
Prof. Dr. Nguyen Duy Anh,director of the Central Hospital of Obstetrics.
Tu Du Hospital and Children’s Hospital.
The Maternity Central Hospital.
Are there any new centers planned?
Yes, the Maternity Central Hospital plans to establish a dedicated fetal medicine center in June. The center aims to collaborate with major obstetrics and gynecology hospitals nationwide to provide guidance on pregnancy management and ensure fetal interventions are performed when necessary.
What are the Costs of these treatments like?
The cost of fetal intervention treatments can be considerable, with some techniques costing hundreds of millions of Dongs due to the expense of medical equipment and materials.
Is there a push for more affordable care?
Yes, Dr. Anh has proposed that health insurance should cover these interventions to alleviate the financial burden on families.
What was discussed at the Third Annual fetal medicine Conference?
The 3rd Annual fetal Medicine Conference drew approximately 500 delegates and featured discussions on:
Fetal surgical interventions.
Laser surgery for fetus-fetal transfusion syndrome.
Management of complicated monocorionic twin pregnancies in Vietnam.
Training in prenatal diagnostic procedures, drainage techniques, fetal transfusion, and placental laser ablation.
Key takeaways from the Conference:
Expert Engagement: The conference drew leading national and international experts.
training and Development: Vietnamese doctors are receiving training in advanced techniques.
Focus on complex cases: Several scientific reports addressed complex cases.
Here’s a table summarizing some of the procedures and conditions treated in utero:
| Procedure | condition Treated | Hospital(s) Involved |
| :————————————– | :——————————————— | :————————————— |
| Transuterine Cardiac Catheterization | Serious Heart Defects | Tu Du Hospital, Children’s Hospital 1 |
| Fetal Surgery/Interventions | Fetus-Fetal Transfusion Syndrome | Research and ongoing training |
| intrauterine Procedures | Amniotic Band Problems | Multiple Hospitals |
| Fetal Transfusions | Severe Fetal Anemia | Multiple Hospitals |
| Balloon Placement and Extraction | Congenital diaphragmatic Hernia | Multiple Hospitals |
This table provides a simplified overview. For more details, please consult with a qualified medical professional.
What is the Future of Fetal Medicine in Vietnam?
The future of fetal medicine in Vietnam is radiant, with ongoing advancements, the establishment of dedicated centers, and a growing pool of skilled practitioners. This progress promises to improve the health and well-being of countless babies and families in Vietnam.