INTRODUCTION: We review the characteristics and prenatal choices of @entity1 recently evaluated for @entity601 ( @entity601 ) at two tertiary units. The prenatal diagnosis of @entity601 allows parents to consider all prenatal options. In selected cases of spina bifida aperta this also includes fetal surgery, which we started offering after combined 'in-house' and 'exported' training. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data on @entity601 diagnosed over the last 8 years and recent fetal surgery referrals. RESULTS: A total of 167 @entity1 were referred for assessment at a median of 19 weeks. Cranial lesions were diagnosed significantly earlier than spinal lesions. Of the open spinal lesions, 77% were isolated. Of these, 22% were managed expectantly and 1 (1%) had fetal surgery. There was no correlation between parental decisions on prenatal management with disease-specific severity markers. We had 14 fetal surgery referrals, all but 1 from beyond our typical referral area; 6 of the assessed @entity1 were operated on, 4 were expectantly managed and 4 requested termination of pregnancy (TOP). These pregnancy outcomes were in the expected range. DISCUSSION: Open spina bifida is mainly diagnosed in the second trimester and 76% of subjects request TOP, irrespective of the severity indicators. The number of local @entity1 considering fetal surgery is low.    2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Prenatal Diagnosis and XXXX Preferences in @entity1 with Neural Tube Defects around the Advent of Fetal Surgery in Belgium and Holland.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity601 :: ('MESH:D009436', 'Disease') :: ['neural tube defects', 'NTD']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['Patient']
