Fetal Cardiology Program

Our innovative approach

Boston Children's Hospital’s Fetal Cardiology Program first made history in 2001, when a team of Children's pediatric cardiologists, with maternal-fetal medicine specialists at Brigham and Women's Hospital, opened a pinched heart valve while a fetus was still in the mother's womb. The baby, born two months later, did well after birth and continued to thrive. Children’s has remained at the forefront of fetal cardiac interventions.

At Children’s Heart center, our treatment is informed by our research. This means that your child is supported by our cardiovascular researchers who are intensely focused on improving our understanding and treatment of heart defects and disorders that affect unborn infants and children after birth. Our clinical and basic scientists work together to quickly move discoveries to the bedside so you have access to the most advanced care possible.

Much of our work focuses on hypoplastic left heart syndrome—its treatment and its prevention. Recent fetal cardiac research studies at Children’s include:

• Balloon Dilation of Severe Aortic Stenosis in the Fetus: Potential for Prevention of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome 
• Creation of an Atrial Septal Defect in utero for Fetuses with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome and Intact or Highly Restrictive Atrial Septum
• Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome with Intact or Highly Restrictive Atrial Septum: Outcome After Neonatal Transcatheter Atrial Septostomy
• Improved Surgical Outcome After Fetal Diagnosis of Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome