- congenital heart disease
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a heart problem present at birth, caused by improper development of the heart during fetal development. Fetal diagnosis of heart disease can be made before birth by ultrasound examination.
See also Heart transplant program; Institute for Fetal Health; The Heart Center at Children's Memorial Hospital; Becca’s amazing turnaround; From patient to volunteer to medical student; Healing the tiniest of hearts
- diaphragmatic hernia
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the intestines and/or liver extend into the lung and heart cavity through a hole in the diaphragm. The fetal condition is diagnosed with ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before birth so that special preparations can be made for optimum care at delivery.
See also Fetal diaphragmatic hernia; Institute for Fetal Health; Surgery (general)
- intraventricular hemorrhage
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bleeding in the brain; the most common neurologic complication of premature infants
- necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
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a serious intestinal illness that may affect underweight or premature infants, and occurs when part of the intestine is damaged or destroyed by a bacterial infection.
See also Gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition (digestive disorders)
- persistent pulmonary hypertension
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a life-threatening respiratory condition that affects full term infants. It occurs when the lung and its blood vessels do not successfully allow the proper transition to air breathing following delivery.
- prematurity
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defined in 1974 by the World Health Organization as live-born infants delivered before 37 weeks gestation from the first day of the mother's last menstrual period. Most fetuses born at 23 weeks or less are considered nonviable.
See also Pulmonary habilitation program; Health disparities affect health of newborns; Nicholas overcomes prematurity; Premature birth brings battle to baby Colton