Fetal diagnosis and treatment

The Montreal Children’s Hospital Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Group (FDTG) includes specialists from different departments at the hospital who work as a team to provide prenatal diagnosis and treatment of fetal abnormalities. Some of the services which the team provides include detailed fetal ultrasounds (2-D and 3-D), amniocentesis, fetal blood sampling, and more complex fetal interventions. Team members also offer counseling in fetal surgical interventions (together with an obstetrician/perinatalogist) and genetic counseling, including determining the risk of associated anomalies, and risk of recurrence. The FDTG can also coordinate consultations with specialists and appointments for imaging. Counseling and perinatal management is provided for patients in Neonatology.

Starting in the 1980s, a few members of the departments of Surgery, Neonatology, Genetics and Perinatology (at the Royal Victoria Hospital) began offering pregnant women fetal diagnosis and treatment but it wasn’t until 2000 that the Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Group (FDTG) was formalized. Today, the group consists of a multidisciplinary team that works together to provide families with the best care available for diagnosis and treatment of fetal abnormalities. 

The Montreal Children’s Hospital Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Group consists of a multidisciplinary and multi-site team (Montreal Children’s Hospital and Royal Victoria Hospital) from Pediatrics, Perinatology, Neonatology, Genetics, Radiology and Pathology. Members of the group have extensive experience with diagnosis of fetal anomalies, counseling, and interventions, such as fetoscopy, placements of fetal bladder and thoracic drains, and the EXIT procedure (Ex-utero Intrapartum Treatment). The team holds joint meetings by videoconference every two weeks to review diagnoses and discuss care plans.

Staff members

Dr. Jean-Martin Laberge, pediatric surgeon, Surgical Director of the FDTG

Dr. Richard Brown, Perinatology/Ultrasound

Karen Canales, Genetic Counsellor

Marilyn Richard, Genetic Counsellor

At the new MUHC, all care happens in one place with maternal, fetal and neonatal care under the same roof. Deliveries from collaborating institutions can also be planned at the Glen site to ensure close care of a newborn who needs immediate intervention at the time of delivery.

Some of the services which the team provides include detailed fetal ultrasounds (2-D and 3-D), amniocentesis, fetal blood sampling, and more complex fetal interventions. Team members also offer counseling in fetal surgical interventions (together with an obstetrician/perinatalogist) and genetic counseling, including determining the risk of associated anomalies, and risk of recurrence. The FDTG can also coordinate consultations with specialists and appointments for imaging. Counseling and perinatal management is provided for patients in Neonatology.