Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) -- An expanded AFP screening is a simple blood test. It is recommended by the state of California for all pregnant women and can detect if they are carrying a fetus with certain genetic abnormalities such as open neural tube defects (ONTD) like spina bifida, Down syndrome, chromosomal abnormalities like trisomy 18 and defects in the abdominal wall of the fetus.
Amniotic Fluid -- The fluid around the fetus that allows it to move freely and protects against mechanical injury.
Ascites -- An accumulation of fluid inside the abdominal cavity.
Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation (CCAM) -- A congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM) is an abnormality of one or more lobes in which the lobe appears as a fluid-filled sac -- called a cyst -- that does not function as normal lung tissue. These cysts occur with equal frequency on either side of the lung, but rarely occur on both sides.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) -- A congenital diaphragmatic hernia is a hole in the muscle between the chest and abdomen that requires only a one-inch incision in the mother. Most babies with this defect can be treated after birth but a few with the most severe form of this defect may be treated while in the womb.
Edema -- The accumulation of excessive fluid in cells, tissues or body cavities.
Endoscopic -- A type of surgery that eliminates the need for a large incision by using telescopes to see and insert miniature instruments.
Fetendo -- Surgery on a fetus using telescopes and eliminating the need for a large uterine incision in the mother.
Hydronephrosis -- Dilation of one or both kidneys resulting from the obstruction to the flow of urine.
Hydrops -- Excessive accumulation of watery fluid in any of the tissues or cavities of the body.
Karyotype -- The chromosome characteristics of an individual.
Laser -- A device that produces a beam of non-spreading visible light energy.
Lung-to-Head Ratio (LHR) -- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) usually is diagnosed before birth using ultrasound, in which sound waves form a picture of the fetus that can determine the severity of the defect. The two factors used to grade the severity of the CDH are the position of the liver and the lung-to-head ratio. Liver position refers to whether or not any portion of liver has herniated, or moved up into the chest of the fetus. Fetuses with a liver in the chest have a more severe condition and a low survival rate. The lung-to-head ratio is a numeric estimate of the size of the lungs based on measuring the amount of visible lung. High lung-to-head ratios are associated with a good outcome.
Myelomeningocele -- Spina bifida, also called myelomeningocele, is a condition in which there is an opening in the spinal column or backbone of the fetus.
Oligohydramnios -- Too little amniotic fluid.
Placentomegaly -- Abnormal thickening of the placenta.
Polyhydramnios -- An excess amount of amniotic fluid.
Pre-Clampsia -- The development of high blood pressure with protein in the urine or edema due to pregnancy. It occurs after the 20th week of pregnancy and usually with a woman's first pregnancy.
Pulmonary Hypoplasia -- When the contents of the abdomen, including the stomach, intestine, liver, spleen and kidneys, move into the chest and prevent the lungs from growing to normal size. This can happen with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM).
Radiofrequency Ablation -- The use of radiofrequency waves to destroy abnormal tissue or tumors.
Renal Dysplasia -- Abnormal, nonfunctioning kidney tissue.
Sacrococcygeal Teratoma -- A tumor originating from the coccyx, or tailbone, and contains many different types of tissues.
Size Discordance -- A great difference in the size of twins.
Spina Bifida -- A defect in the spinal column that consists of an absence of the vertebral arches through which the spinal membranes protrude.
Stent -- A small wire mesh apparatus that is inserted into the bladder to divert urine past an obstruction.
Ultrasonography -- High frequency energy waves used in radiology to give images for the purpose of determining the location and size of objects or areas of different density.
Vesicostomy -- A vesicostomy is an opening in the lower fetal abdomen that goes directly into the fetal bladder. This was used to treat fetuses with urinary tract obstruction.
Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007
