The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at CHOP

12/10/2025

12/10/2025

Cherie underwent fetal surgery in our Center for twin reversed arterial perfusion, or TRAP sequence. TRAP sequence occurs when there is a monochorionic pregnancy in which the fetuses are contained within the same outer membrane of the sac that surrounds the fetus. Read about the LaMartina family's story here.

Cherie Lamartina underwent fetal surgery for twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to save Taylor.

12/10/2025

Hattie and Nora were diagnosed before birth with selective intrauterine growth restriction (SIUGR), a condition that occurs when monochorionic twins share the placenta unequally. One fetus receives less blood flow and nutrition, causing its growth to slow. Read about their journey from New York to our Center that began before the girls were even born!

Twins Hattie and Nora were diagnosed with selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) before they were born, and monitored at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

12/09/2025

It's Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) Awareness Month and today is intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR) Awareness Day. Did you know that TTTS sometimes turns out to be sIUGR? In this video, experts from our Center talk about what differentiates sIUGR and TTTS, the different types of sIUGR, the role of advanced fetal imaging in diagnosis, and the importance of accurate diagnosis in determining the best treatment approach. Watch and share!

An initial diagnosis of twin-twin transfusion syndrome sometimes turns out to be selective intrauterine growth restriction (sIUGR). http://www.chop.edu/siugr...

12/05/2025

We’re proud to celebrate our very own Dr. Holly Hedrick, who was honored at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region Champions of Hope event with the Dr. Audrey E. Evans Award of Excellence.

A true pioneer in fetal and pediatric surgery, Dr. Hedrick has transformed what’s possible for babies with the most complex conditions, from congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and conjoined twin separation to breakthrough fetal therapies that are rewriting standards of care. As the leader of Pulmonary Hypoplasia Program, she established the model of care emulated across the country, offering specialized support for children with severely underdeveloped lungs.

Dr. Hedrick’s leadership echoes Dr. Audrey Evans’ legacy, and her impact continues to shape the future of fetal surgery.

Members of our team were grateful to join the celebration that served as a special opportunity to recognize Dr. Hedrick’s extraordinary impact alongside the families, colleagues, and partners who support this work every day.

We’re thankful for our long-standing partnership with Ronald McDonald House, which plays an essential role in making care possible for our patient families traveling from across the country and around the world.

11/27/2025

From our fetal family to all of yours, we are so thankful for you today. Sharing some more amazing photos from our 29th annual Lori J. Howell Fetal Family Reunion!

11/21/2025

This past week our team represented our Center at the North American Fetal Therapy Network (NAFTNet) Conference in Chicago! It was a great opportunity to share research updates and meet with fetal medicine colleagues from other hospitals.

Did you know that here at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia we manage NAFTNet’s fetal myelomeningocele (MMC) collection, which combines patient outcomes data from all NAFTNet centers. The results of this research help all NAFTNet centers learn more and continue to improve patient care.

The team even made sure to end the day with a piece of famous Chicago pizza!

11/19/2025

We are pleased to welcome Mara Rosner, MD, MPH as a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist/Fetal interventionalist. Dr. Rosner joins us from the Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy where she specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of complex fetal conditions, with particular expertise in fetal surgical interventions, twin pregnancies, neurosonography and first-trimester diagnosis.

Help us welcome Dr. Rosner, and learn more about her, below!

Mara Rosner, MD, MPH, is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist in the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment and Special Delivery Unit at CHOP. Dr. Rosner is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist in the Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment (CFDT) and Garbose Family Special De...

11/17/2025

In October, Ruth Colket, one of our Center’s most steadfast partners, hosted a celebration in honor of our 30th anniversary. CHOP leadership and generous Center supporters, including the Wood and Garbose families, gathered to celebrate this remarkable milestone. It was a beautiful evening to reflect on the 35,000+ families we have been able to help! Read more about the history of our Center: https://www.chop.edu/news/q-and-a-trailblazer-n-scott-adzick-md-mmm

11/17/2025

This year’s Cheers for CHOP, an unforgettable evening of music, live entertainment, delicious bites and an incredible silent auction, is benefiting our Center! More than 35,000 families have turned to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia when their unborn baby needed treatment. By supporting this event, you will help fund bold science, compassionate care and the next generation of fetal therapies that will transform lives.

Learn more: http://ms.spr.ly/6182tzCeQ.

11/14/2025

This past weekend, two of our fetal therapy coordinators Ellyn Rebecca, MA, RN and Stefanie Kasperski, MS, LCGC, attended CHOP’s Walk of Fame, celebrating employees who have 25 years or more of service. Stefanie celebrated 25 years and Ellyn was honored for 45 years.

Please join us in celebrating their CHOP anniversaries!

11/13/2025

It’s Genetic Counselor Appreciation Day!

We’re celebrating our incredible team of prenatal genetic counselors who bring compassion, clarity, and expertise to every family they meet. Dedicated exclusively to fetal patients, our counselors make up one of the most comprehensive teams of its kind in the nation.

From assessing risk factors and guiding genetic testing to helping families navigate complex information with confidence, they turn knowledge into empowerment every day. We’re so grateful for their care, heart, and unwavering commitment to the families we serve, today and every day!