We understand many of the terms you may hear during the course of treatment at the Cincinnati Children's Fetal Care Center will be unfamiliar. We hope this glossary is a helpful reference for you and your family.
Please let us know if this glossary was helpful or if there are other terms and definitions we should include. Please contact us at 1-888-FETAL59 or 1-888-338-2559, or send email to info@fetalcarecenter.org.
Amniocentesis
A procedure that uses a needle to draw a sample of amniotic fluid which is then analyzed to detect chromosome abnormalities.
Amniotic Fluid
The fluid in which the embryo or fetus is suspended within the womb.
Biopsy
The removal and examination of tissue, cells and fluids from the living body.
Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO)
A blockage that prevents urine from flowing freely out of the bladder. Learn more about Bladder Outlet Obstruction.
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
An alternative to amniocentesis to detect chromosomal abnormalities. The CVS can be performed earlier in fetal development.
Chromosomes
Thread-like linear strands of DNA and associated proteins.
Congenital Defect
A problem or condition in a human, existing at or dating from birth; acquired during development in the womb (uterus).
CHAOS
Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome. Learn more about CHAOS.
Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation/Congenital Pulmonary Airway Malformation (CCAM/CPAM)
Benign tumor of the lung, usually one lobe. Learn more about CCAM / CPAM.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH)
Malformation or absence of the diaphragm, allowing abdominal contents to enter the thoracic cavity. Learn more about Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.
Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)
Malformation of the heart.
Cloaca
Congenital defect due to non-closure of membranes resulting in exteriorization of the genitourinary tract.
Colorectal Malformation
Congenital defect to the bowel involving the colon and/or rectum.
Diagnosis
The art or act of identifying a disease from its signs and symptoms.
Diagnostic Fetoscopy
A minimally-invasive examination of the fetus by a miniature video camera inserted through a small tube into the uterus.
Diagnostic Testing
A variety of tests and procedures performed on a patient to effectively establish a diagnosis. Procedures include laboratory tests, x-rays, ultrasounds and other imaging studies. Learn more about our diagnostic services.
ECHO
Ultrasound technique for evaluating the fetal heart.
ECMO
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation – a type of surgical intervention in which the patient receives support from a heart-lung machine.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
A test that records maternal heart rhythm and is part of the pre-operative evaluation.
Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment (EXIT)
A surgical delivery under general anesthesia that utilizes placental support while a procedure is performed on the fetus/baby.
Ex Utero
Outside of the womb (uterus).
Fetal Echocardiography
A high resolution ultrasound test to detect structural heart abnormalities/dysfunction in the fetus.
Fetal Abnormality
A condition detected in the unborn human that is not the normal or average.
Fetal Medicine
A well-established and highly sophisticated area of medicine that covers the broad spectrum of conditions potentially treatable before a baby’s birth. Fetal medicine has been practiced for more than 20 years. Also referred to as fetology and prenatal pediatrics.
Fetal Surgeon
A specialist in fetal surgery.
Fetal Surgery
Surgical treatment of the unborn human in the womb/uterus. Learn more about our surgical services.
Fetal Therapy
Treatment of the unborn human; can be medical and/or surgical.
Fetologist
A specialist in fetology.
Fetology
A well-established and highly sophisticated area of medicine that covers the broad spectrum of conditions potentially treatable before a baby's birth. Fetology has been practiced for more than 20 years. Also referred to as fetal medicine and prenatal pediatrics.
Fetus
A developing human, usually defined as three months after conception to birth. This stage of development follows the embryo or embryonic stage.
Gastroschisis
A congenital abdominal wall defect to the right of the umbilicus, usually containing bowel.
Genetic Counseling
Medical education of affected individuals and the general public concerning inherited (genetic) disorders.
Genetics
A branch of biology that deals with the heredity and variation of organisms.
Hydrocephalus
Enlarged heard due to enlarged ventricles with increased cerebrospinal fluid.
Hydrothorax
Fluid in the thoracic cavity.
In Utero
Relating to being in the womb.
Intestinal atresia
Blockage of the intestine during fetal development.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A noninvasive diagnostic technique that produces computerized images of internal body tissue and is based on nuclear magnetic resonance of atoms within the body induced by the application of radio waves.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
The diagnostic monitoring and management of high-risk pregnancies; also called perinatology.
Myelomeningocele (MMC)
Learn more about Myelomeningocele.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the nation. It is an agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH headquarters are located in Bethesda, Maryland, and the surrounding area. The NIH funds scientific studies at universities and research institutions across the nation, including the Fetal Care Center of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Neonatal
Relating to or affecting the newborn, especially the human infant during the first month after birth.
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)
An area within a hospital dedicated to the care and treatment of premature and critically ill babies with medical/surgical issues. Learn more about the Cincinnati Children's NICU.
Neonate
A baby less than a month old.
Neonatologist
A specialist in neonatology.
Neonatology
A branch of medicine concerned with the care, development and diseases of newborn infants.
Nurse Practitioner
A registered nurse with advanced training who is qualified to assume some of the duties formerly assumed only by a physician. The nurse practitioner works with physicians to establish a plan of care and deliver care to patients.
Nutritionist
A specialist in the study of nutrition.
Obstetrician
A specialist in obstetrics.
Obstetrics
A branch of medicine that deals with birth.
Oligohydramnios
A condition in which there is too little (less than the normal range) amniotic fluid.
Omphalocele
An anterior wall defect through the umbilicus in which exteriorized abdominal contents are covered by a membrane. A giant omphalocele contains the liver.
Pediatrician
A specialist in pediatrics.
Pediatrics
A branch of medicine dealing with the development, care and diseases of children.
Perinatal
Concerned with or being in the period around the time of birth.
Perinatologist
A specialist in perinatology; typically has 2 to 3 years more training than an obstetrician / gynecologist.
Perinatology
A branch of medicine concerned with care of high-risk pregnancies. Also called maternal-fetal medicine.
Polyhydramnios
Too much (larger amount than normal) amniotic fluid.
Postnatal
Occurring, existing or performed after birth.
Prenatal
Occurring, existing or performed before birth.
Prenatal Pediatrics
A well-established and highly sophisticated area of medicine that covers the broad spectrum of conditions potentially treatable before a baby's birth. It includes fetal surgery (surgery performed on the fetus in the womb prior to birth). Prenatal Pediatrics has been practiced for more than 20 years. Also referred to as fetology and fetal medicine.
Pulmonary hypertension
Condition in which blood vessels in the lungs are constricted, causing decreased oxygen and right heart failure.
Pulmonary hypoplasia
Incomplete development of lung tissue due to space occupying lesion during fetal development (i.e., CCAM/CPAM, CDH).
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
A procedure that uses radio waves to generate heat to solidify tissue or block vessels.
Radiologist
A specialist trained in the use of radiologic diagnostic techniques, such as X-rays.
Selective Fetal Laser Photocoagulation (SFLP)
A surgical procedure utilized with twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
Shunt (fetal)
A tube-like device placed into a fetus cavity (i.e., thorax, bladder), under ultrasound guidance, to allow drainage of the fluid into the amniotic cavity.
Sonogram
An image produced by ultrasound.
Sonographer
A person trained in the use of ultrasound.
Uterus
An organ in females for containing and nourishing the fetus during development prior to birth; also called the womb.
Ultrasound
A technique involving the formation of a two-dimensional image used for the examination and measurement of internal body structures and the detection of abnormalities/anomalies.
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