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Updated: Aug 9, 2026
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Transuterine Fetal Tracheal Occlusion Model in Mice
Published on: February 5, 2021
Prenatal intervention for isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Jan Deprest1, Jacques Jani, Mieke Cannie
1Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. Jan.Deprest@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology
|April 8, 2006
Summary
Early prenatal diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is possible. Fetal endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) offers a minimally invasive fetal therapy option, improving survival rates in severe CDH cases.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Fetal Medicine
- Neonatal Surgery
Background:
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a serious condition affecting fetal development.
- Accurate prenatal prediction of CDH outcomes is crucial for management.
- Current survival rates vary significantly between population-based studies and specialized centers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review literature on early prenatal prediction of outcomes for isolated CDH.
- To evaluate the results of fetal therapy for CDH.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on CDH prediction and fetal therapy.
- Analysis of prognostic indicators such as liver herniation and lung-to-head ratio.
- Evaluation of fetal endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) as a therapeutic intervention.
Main Results:
- Fetuses with liver herniation and lung-to-head ratio < 1.0 have poor prognosis.
- Percutaneous fetal endoluminal tracheal occlusion (FETO) in severe CDH cases improved lung size and survival rates (7-day: 75%, 28-day: 58%, discharge: 50%).
- FETO demonstrated improved neonatal survival (83.3% vs. 33.3%) compared to controls, despite risks like preterm prelabour rupture of membranes.
Conclusions:
- Severe CDH cases can be identified in the second trimester.
- Minimally invasive FETO can be considered a viable fetal therapy for selected severe CDH cases, improving outcomes.
