Perinatal Services
The Perinatal Center at Weill Cornell brings together the talents of experts in many fields of medicine to provide comprehensive care for fetuses and mothers in high-risk pregnancies. Our mission is to provide state-of-the-art comprehensive care for our patients, while ensuring that patient care is seamlessly coordinated. At the Perinatal Center:
- the family has the opportunity to meet a team of healthcare professionals
- for the convenience of our patients and their families, appointments for both consultation services and tests can be scheduled for the same day
- communication between specialists in various departments is facilitated. This helps to ensure that the appropriate specialists are aware of potential neonatal complications, and can be present in the delivery room if appropriate
Patients at the Perinatal Center benefit from the collaboration of our team of healthcare professionals from many departments, including:
- Newborn Medicine. The neonatal division provides care for the high-risk infants in the neonatal intensive care unit who are often hospitalized due to premature birth or congenital abnormalities. Because we can frequently identify those pregnancies at highest risk for premature birth as well as identify most fetuses with congenital malformations, the neonatal team often has the opportunity to consult with parents about potential problems and the challenges prior to the birth of their child. We also can be sure that the proper level of care is immediately available at the time of birth.
- Genetics. An increasing number of genetic conditions can be identified in the fetus. The Perinatal Center offers genetic counseling to those families at high-risk for having a child with a genetic condition. Following prenatal diagnosis, our geneticists educate prospective parents about the implications of test results so they can make informed decisions.
- Radiology. Though obstetric ultrasound is a valuable and important tool for detecting most major fetal malformations, fetal MRI can provide more details about certain fetal structures, allowing us to provide families with more information. The Department of Radiology has special expertise in fetal MRI, and can provide crucial information, particularly with regard to abnormalities involving the developing fetal brain.
- Pediatric Cardiology. One of the most challenging aspects of prenatal diagnosis is the identification of congenital heart disease. When congenital heart disease is suspected, fetal echocardiography performed in the Division of Pediatric Cardiology can help confirm the diagnosis. If indicated, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon can meet with parents to discuss treatment options. In cases where fetal therapy is possible, such as for cardiac arrhythmia, collaboration with pediatric cardiologists can maximize our ability to improve fetal health while avoiding complications in the mother.
- Pediatric Hematology. The Division of Pediatric Hematology works closely with Maternal-Fetal Medicine in the diagnosis and management of fetal anemia and thrombocytopenia. This close collaboration results in successful fetal therapy of conditions that are frequently lethal or associated with severe complications.
- Pediatric Surgical Specialists. Consultation with the Divisions of Pediatric Surgery, Urology, or Neurosurgery is arranged when specific fetal conditions that may require surgical therapy after birth are diagnosed or suspected. Parents can meet with these specialists so that they can make informed decisions and be aware of any special newborn care that might be required after birth.
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