Fetal Therapy and the Application of Ultrasound

With the rapid advancement and increasing resolution of ultrasound technology, ultrasound has become an indispensable tool in fetal diagnosis and therapy. The concept of "Treating the Fetus as a Patient," first proposed in 2008, has gained increasing attention and has been actively practiced in Europe and the United States since the 1990s. Traditionally, fetal anomalies led to pregnancy termination or postnatal treatment, but recent advancements have made in utero interventions a viable option. As the transparency and accessibility of medical knowledge improve, more families are seeking fetal therapy or surgery as a means of intervention. The development of a comprehensive fetal therapy center at Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital represents a major step forward in Taiwan's capabilities. This paper reviews current techniques, outcomes, and future directions of fetal therapy using ultrasound guidance.