In Utero Therapy for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Abstract

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is an anomaly that is often prenatally diagnosed and spans a wide spectrum of disease, with high morbidity and mortality associated with fetuses with severe defects. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia is thus an ideal target for fetal intervention. We review the literature on prenatal diagnosis, describe the history of fetal intervention for congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and discuss fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion and the Tracheal Occlusion To Accelerate Lung growth trial results. Finally, we present preclinical studies for potential future directions.

Keywords: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia; Fetal surgery; In utero therapy.