Hearing that your unborn baby may have a congenital anomaly can be overwhelming, but you are not alone. At Austin Pediatric Surgery, our Congenital Consultation Program offers prenatal consultations to provide expert guidance on congenital anomalies and surgical planning. Our team collaborates with maternal-fetal medicine specialists, neonatologists, and OBGYNs to deliver the most up-to-date care for you and your baby.
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From prenatal diagnosis to long-term follow-up, we are committed to supporting families every step of the way.
Gastroschisis
What is it?
A condition where the intestines protrude outside the abdomen due to incomplete abdominal wall development.
Treatment
Surgery to reposition the intestines, either immediately after birth or in stages
Follow-Up
Some infants may require extended hospitalization to allow their intestines to recover and function properly.
Omphalocele
What is it?
Abdominal organs protrude through the belly button, covered by a membrane.
Treatment
Surgical repair timing depends on the defect size and associated health issues.
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Follow-Up
Focused care for related complications like genetic anomalies or lung development issues.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) Program
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a problem that babies are born with in which a portion of the diaphragm has not formed correctly. The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the abdominal cavity from the chest cavity to help you breathe. When a CDH occurs, the intestines, liver and other organs push up into the chest and prevent the normal development of the lungs. The lungs are smaller than they should be and the blood vessels in the lungs also don’t work well, frequently preventing blood to flow like it should through the lungs. This is called pulmonary hypertension. There are a number of tests and measurements that can be done as a fetus to assess the severity of the diaphragmatic problem.
Babies born with CDH can be very sick soon after birth and may need to go on a heart lung bypass machine known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO. Usually the surgery to repair the CDH is done in the first days or weeks of life. Depending on how much of the diaphragm is absent, the repair may include placing a patch of synthetic material where the diaphragm should be. Babies with CDH are often in the hospital for a long time after birth but we are there every step of the way with you, your baby, and your family to help make it as easy as possible. We are also there to follow up with you after you go home from the hospital. We will see your baby regularly and are always available as a resource for questions or concerns.
Austin Pediatric Surgery leads a multidisciplinary team of maternal fetal medicine doctors, neonatologists, pediatric intensive care doctors, ECMO specialists, cardiologists, pulmonoligist and other doctors to take care of babies with CDH. We use the most up to date techniques and equipment to take care of these babies. If you have any questions about the CDH program, please contact us at Austin Pediatric Surgery.
What is it?
A hole in the diaphragm (muscle that helps you breath), which allows abdominal organs to move into the chest, impacting lung development.
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Treatment
Surgery to repair the hole in the diaphragm to keep the abdominal organs out of the chest. Some babies with CDH can be very sick when they are born and require heart and lung bypass with ECMO.
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Follow-Up
Long-term care for breathing, feeding, and developmental challenges.
Congenital Lung lesions
What is it?
Abnormal lung tissue from fetal development that may cause breathing issues or infections.
Treatment
Surgery during infancy to remove the affected lung tissue if symptomatic.
Follow-Up
Asymptomatic cases are monitored and evaluated for surgery within the first few months.
Esophageal/ Intestinal Obstruction
What is it?
Blockages anywhere from the esophagus to the anus.
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Treatment
Surgical correction after careful evaluation, possibly involving staged repairs with temporary stomas.
Abdominal Masses
What is it?
Abdominal masses can occur for different reasons in babies. These can be associated with different organs such as the intestines, ovaries, liver or adrenal glands.
Treatment
Some resolve naturally after birth, while others require surgery for diagnosis and treatment.
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