Fetal Surgery Patient Reunion in Washington, D.C. Hosted by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Families, including patients treated while still in the womb, reunite with their doctors and nurses
WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Sunday, Nov. 5, the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) brought together a community of CHOP patients and families from our nation's capital and the surrounding area. The reunion, which took place at Washington's Newseum, gathered more than 200 people and provided an opportunity for patients to reconnect with their medical teams and others who have experienced similar struggles. All patients in attendance either underwent fetal surgery in our Center to treat conditions before birth, or received highly specialized care immediately following birth.
This reunion was an extension of CHOP's annual Fetal Family Reunion, which for the past 20 years has gathered thousands from across the U.S. and takes place at the hospital each June. This past year over 1,800 people from 22 states attended and nearly all of the children there were prenatally diagnosed with a birth defect, such as spina bifida, twin-twin transfusion syndrome or congenital diaphragmatic hernia. The D.C. reunion served as a way for members from the CHOP team to connect with patients in a smaller setting in a location closer to their homes.
"Every patient that is treated in our Center requires highly specialized care, many times before they are even born," said N. Scott Adzick, M.D., Surgeon-In-Chief and director of the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment. "Occasions like this are inspirational and offer a reminder of why we do what we do. As I look out at the children in attendance—many running, jumping and playing—I can't help but feel grateful to their families who entrusted us with their care, and feel a sense of pride that we played a part in their lives."
The D.C. reunion was an opportunity for clinical staff and patient families to reunite and enjoy a fun-filled family day at the Newseum, a popular museum destination. Patients who attended the reunion ranged from just several months old to some of the Center's first patients who are now teenagers.
The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at CHOP is a pioneer in the field of fetal medicine, and is one of only a few programs worldwide to offer comprehensive prenatal diagnosis, fetal surgery and therapy, and the option of delivering at a leading pediatric hospital.
Each week at CHOP, highly sophisticated surgical teams repair spina bifida and other birth defects in the womb, place fetal shunts to treat life-threatening congenital conditions, or perform minimally invasive procedures in the mother's uterus to treat complications in fetal twins. Of approximately 5,000 fetal surgeries done worldwide, a quarter of them have been performed at CHOP, more than at any other hospital. The Center staff has also managed thousands of pregnancies complicated by birth defects in which newborns need immediate specialized medical care or surgery after delivery.
About Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals, and pioneering major research initiatives, Children's Hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought the 546-bed hospital recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit http://www.chop.edu
Contact: Ashley Moore
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Cell: 215.630.4683
SOURCE Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
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