Foetus

What we can do for you

We are specialised in the follow-up and treatment of:

  • Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
  • Disorders in multiples:
    • Twin to twin transfusion syndrome (blood supply imbalance)
    • TRAP
    • growth discordance
    • discordant diseases
  • Cardiac disorders
  • Premature rupture of the membranes
  • Foetal anaemia
  • Cystoscopy
  • Shunt
  • ...

Types of prenatal tests

A deviating screening test and/or ultrasound finding during the pregnancy can require additional examination that fall under prenatal diagnostics. 

Team

If you are confronted with a (probable) prenatal diagnosis during your pregnancy, the foetal team will assist you throughout this difficult time. 

Case manager support

The case managers will assist parents who are expecting a baby with a congenital disorder. They are part of a multidisciplinary team of gynaecologists, paediatricians, geneticists, social workers, psychologists, pastors and midwives. After the diagnosis, they coordinate the care for both national and international patients. 

The tasks are very varied and depend on the specific needs of the future parents and their unborn child. The case managers assist during invasive procedures and specialised ultrasounds in case a foetal anomaly was diagnosed and communicate with referrers and other healthcare providers. 

When a foetal anomaly has been determined or confirmed, the team will look at the further options for the couple and their baby/babies. 

  • For more information about the specific disorder and the chances of their baby, parents are referred to specialised physicians, e.g. paediatricians, human genetics specialists, paediatric neurologists etc. The case manager coordinates these discussions and will attend these meetings if this is helpful for the parents. 
  • Parents can turn to the case managers for all their questions and concerns. If necessary, the will also refer to other disciplines within the foetal medicine team, such as e.g. the psychologist, pastor, social worker or paediatrician.

For some disorders or anomalies treatment before the delivery is possible. Parents are also given the chance to visit the delivery room, the maternity ward and/or the neonatology ward. This makes further follow-up more concrete for the couple and their baby. 

Over the course of the programme they remain the contact person and care coordinator of the future parents. 

For international patients, they look after the coordination between healthcare organisations, give advice for booking accommodation in the guest house for family and provide information about the financial aspects (health insurance).

Contact

fetal.medicineleuven@uzleuven.be

Address

UZ Leuven gasthuisberg campus
Foetal medicine
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven

Questions and more information

Last edit: 6 August 2024