Khaberni - For some families, the joy of expecting a new baby is not free of anxiety, as about 3% of children in the United States are born annually with congenital defects, equivalent to approximately one in every 33 births. Although this number seems worrying, the reassuring news is that most of these abnormalities can be detected before birth using ultrasound.
Early detection allows parents and doctors to prepare for medical care after birth, and sometimes even surgical intervention to treat the fetus in the womb, thanks to significant advancements in imaging techniques and surgical and anesthesia tools.
In a report published by the New York Post, specialized doctors explain the cases eligible for life-saving fetal surgery and debunk four common myths about prenatal screening.
The first myth: Ultrasound is only used to determine the sex of the fetus
Doctors confirm that ultrasound imaging is an essential diagnostic tool for monitoring fetal growth and maternal health throughout pregnancy, not just for determining the sex of the baby.
This technique relies on high-frequency sound waves, not radiation, making it safe even for women with low-risk pregnancies.
A pregnant woman typically undergoes:
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A first-trimester scan around week 12.
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A detailed anatomical scan between weeks 18 and 22.
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A third scan between weeks 28 and 32.
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Additional scans may be recommended if any problems are suspected.
The scan allows high-precision evaluation of the fetus’s brain, heart, chest, abdomen, and limbs, although some conditions may not appear until later or may require additional imaging like fetal MRI.
The second myth: Abnormal results always mean disaster
Anxiety is a natural reaction to an abnormal result in the screening, but doctors confirm that not every unusual finding indicates a real danger.
Some results might be false positives due to technological limitations or human error, and some cysts or phenomena disappear spontaneously without intervention.
Doctors explain that their role is not just to read images, but to clearly explain the situation to the family and help them make informed decisions.
The third myth: Serious deformities cannot be treated before birth
This is one of the most common misconceptions. Fetal medicine experts confirm that many abnormalities can today be treated inside the womb.
One of the prominent examples is Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome:
It is a rare and severe condition affecting identical twins sharing a placenta. In the past, it was often fatal, but today, thanks to fetal endoscopic surgery between weeks 16 and 26, the survival rate for the twins reaches about 90%.
Spina Bifida:
It is a deformity of the spine that leads to the exposure of nerves and spinal cord, potentially causing paralysis or fluid build-up in the brain. Using just three small incisions in the womb, the defect can be repaired and the nerves protected, significantly improving mobility and brain development later on.
Intervention is also possible to treat some heart defects and congenital diaphragmatic hernia affecting lung development.
The fourth myth: Fetal surgeries are still experimental and risky
Although the idea of surgery inside the womb may seem frightening initially, doctors confirm that fetal surgeries are no longer experimental in a number of advanced medical centers.
With the development of precise tools and high-resolution imaging, these procedures have become safer and more effective, significantly reducing potential complications for the mother and fetus compared to traditional surgeries.
Diagnosing congenital deformities is no longer an absolute sentence of tragedy; in many cases, it is an opportunity to save lives before they begin, amid astonishing advancements in fetal medicine changing the fate of thousands of children worldwide daily.
