Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment Procedure: A Peripartum Management Strategy in Particularly Challenging Cases

Modern obstetric care continues to improve on the early prenatal detection and diagnosis of many congenital malformations.¹ Prenatally detected malformations affecting the fetal airway or pulmonary function are of particular concern because of the risks incurred at the time of delivery. Resuscitation of these infants at birth can be quite complicated with a significant risk for hypoxia, ischemic brain injury, or even death if the airway cannot be promptly secured. These types of congenital malformations may benefit from an intrapartum strategy to safely secure the airway and reduce the associated risks of delivery and neonatal resuscitation.

Abbreviations: AFI, Amniotic fluid index, CDH, Congenital diaphragmatic hernia, CHAOS, Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome, ECMO, Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, EXIT, Ex utero intrapartum treatment, FCC, The Fetal Care Center of Cincinnati, HLHS, Hypoplastic left heart syndrome, MRI, Magnetic resonance imaging