/R E P E A T -- Radio Interview Opportunity - Fetal Surgery Can Save and Improve the Lives of Thousands of Children Worldwide/

Radio Interview Opportunity
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2015 -- 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. EST

Each year, approximately 130 Canadian newborns are diagnosed with spina bifida

*January is Birth Defects Awareness Month*

TORONTO, Dec. 23, 2014 /CNW/ -

GUEST:
Scott Adzick, M.D. Surgeon-In-Chief at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

In October 2014, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) published new care guidelines about the prenatal screening, diagnosis, and pregnancy management of fetal neural tube defects, specifically spina bifida. In December, Toronto hosted an educational forum on innovative prenatal surgery where world leaders in fetal surgery from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia partnered with Canadian experts to discuss the most current advances in fetal surgery, specifically for families in Canada.

Historically, SOGC has recommended clinicians provide patients, who have an unborn baby with spina bifida, with just two options: postnatal surgery or termination of the pregnancy.  Significantly, the guidelines include offering a new third choice to expectant Canadian parents with a fetus diagnosed with spina bifida, having open fetal surgery to correct the birth defect while the baby is still in the mother's womb. 

While a handful of Canadian hospitals do offer minimally invasive fetal surgery for select birth defects, today, there is no hospital in Cananda currently offering open fetal surgery for spina bifida or other conditions. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the world's largest fetal diagnosis and treatment center, partners with Canadian Hospitals to provide fetal surgery for interested patients.

Background:
The birth of a child is a joyous occasion for an entire family.  For the families of babies born with a birth defect each year, however, it also brings fear and uncertainty. There are thousands of different types of birth defects and while there has been a lot of research to advance our knowledge, the causes of some are still unknown.  Furthermore, families are often unaware of available treatment and can feel like there are few options.

For example, in some highly selective circumstances, early treatment is key for babies with birth defects – they have a greater risk of long-term illness and disability than other babies, and delayed treatment increases this risk.  Pioneering fetal surgeon Dr. Scott Adzick specializes in treating these babies' unique needs – including surgical procedures when they are still in the womb.   Dr. Adzick is on hand to discuss this advancing technology and how fetal surgery can help save and better the lives of many children worldwide.

SUGGESTED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

• How many babies each year are born with birth defects?
• Which types of conditions can be helped by having surgery while the baby is still in the womb?
• How rare is fetal surgery? About how many fetal surgeries have been done in the world?
• What are the risks of fetal surgery?
• What is the expected long-term outcome for babies who undergo fetal surgery?
• What do you think about the future for fetal surgery?
• Where can my listeners find more information?

MORE ABOUT DR. SCOTT ADZICK:

Dr. Scott Adzick is the Surgeon-in-Chief, at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and is the director of the Hospital's Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment, the largest and most comprehensive fetal program in the world, having welcomed expectant mothers from all 50 states and more than 50 countries.  An innovator in fetal medicine since the field's inception, Dr. Adzick has dedicated his career to the pursuit of groundbreaking prenatal treatment for birth defects, has made pioneering contributions to fetal surgery, and today continues to explore cutting-edge treatment options. 2015 marks the 20^th anniversary of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Fetal Surgery program. Since 1995, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has performed over 1,2000 fetal surgeries on babies with prenatally diagnosed birth defects.

SOURCE The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia