title: History of fetal diagnosis and therapy: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia experience.
abstract: Since its inception in 1995, the mission of the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has been to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary expertise in all facets of prenatal diagnosis, reproductive genetics, and prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal treatment for abnormal fetuses. Most of the authors were trained and/or served on faculty at centers in San Francisco (N.S.A., A.W.F., T.M.C., L.J.H.) or Detroit (A.W.F, M.P.J.). Accurate prenatal detection by serial sonographic study and the development of ultrafast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners has permitted delineation of the natural history of anatomic malformations. Definition of the pathophysiological features that affect clinical outcome and formulation of management based on prognosis has allowed families to make informed decisions. Outcomes have been improved through carefully planned and coordinated perinatal management. In some cases of life-threatening or severely debilitating defects, prenatal surgery has been offered.
authors.affiliation: Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Department of Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Holly L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Hedrick
authors.forename: Alan W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Flake
authors.forename: Timothy M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Crombleholme
authors.forename: Lori J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: R Douglas
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: N Scott
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Adzick
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015143:Philadelphia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*