The Fetal Center contributes to multicenter international prospective fetal therapy registries, including collaborative databases on fetoscopic repair of spina bifida and fetal surgery for complicated monochorionic twin pregnancies.
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
MATERNITY & NEWBORN HEALTH
The Fetal Center at Riley Children’s Health provides evaluation and counseling for expectant mothers with high-risk fetal conditions. For women with complex pregnancies, the center, a partnership of multiple pediatric specialties at Riley Children’s, provides comprehensive, leading-edge care and support for mother and baby that extends from prenatal diagnosis through delivery and postpartum follow-up. FETAL CENTER
Participates in multicenter international randomized clinical trials:
■ AZALEA, a global Phase III study evaluating nipocalimab to prevent severe hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn ■ GOOD , a multicenter randomized control trial aiming to determine the safest timing of delivery in pregnancies with fetal gastroschisis to improve neonatal outcomes
Premier programs
TOP DISTINCTIONS
Fetal Surgery Program Our comprehensive fetal therapy program offers both minimally invasive fetoscopic and open fetal surgical interventions for a wide range of complex fetal conditions. ■ Includes laser therapy for TTTS/TAPS/sFGR, fetal shunting, fetoscopic MMC repair, and evolving FETO program ■ Emphasizes minimally invasive approaches to reduce maternal morbidity while optimizing fetal outcomes ■ Coordinated perioperative care from diagnosis through delivery
Monochorionic Twin Program The Fetal Center includes a dedicated program for the management of complex twin pregnancies. ■ Advanced Doppler-based surveillance and standardized staging protocols ■ Access to fetal therapy interventions, including fetoscopic laser ■ Focus on optimizing dual fetal outcomes and reducing neurologic morbidity Other programs ■ Fetal Therapy for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Program ■ Maternal-Fetal Genetics Program
■ Midwest leader in advanced and minimally invasive fetal surgery ■ Innovative fetoscopic myelomeningocele (MMC) repair using a mini-laparotomy technique designed to reduce maternal morbidity while maintaining fetal benefit ■ Comprehensive monochorionic twin program with advanced diagnostics and intervention; integrates advanced ultrasound, Doppler-based surveillance and fetal therapy options in multidisciplinary program ■ One of the few centers in the Midwest advancing a fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion (FETO) program for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia ■ Integrated maternal-fetal genetics and comprehensive stillbirth evaluation programs; offers a dedicated maternal-fetal genetics program embedded within the Fetal Center
29 research publications in 2025
NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS
Best Practice and Research Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology: February 2026 Diagnostic accuracy of prenatal ultrasound and MRI in predicting survival in severe isolated congenital diaphragmatic hernia: A systematic review and meta-analysis American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology: March 2026 Antenatal corticosteroid administration in periviable twin pregnancies between 22 and 25 weeks: A nationwide-based study Journal of Perinatology: December 2025 Beyond the womb: Prenatal MRI’s prognostic abilities for morbidity and mortality in neonates with omphaloceles Pediatrics: July 2025 Perinatal urinary tract dilation: Recommendations on pre-/postnatal imaging, prophylactic antibiotics and follow-up: Clinical report Journal of Perinatology: January 2025 Decreasing early invasive mechanical ventilation exposure in preterm infants: A quality improvement initiative
INTERIM CO-DIRECTOR | MEDICAL DIRECTOR, NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT Izlin Z. Lien, MD Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, IU School of Medicine > Connect with Dr. Lien on Doximity.
■ Kate Cares Stillbirth Assessment Program
Advanced therapies and procedures ■ Mini-laparotomy fetoscopic MMC repair ■ Fetoscopic laser photocoagulation
Riley Children’s has adapted advanced mechanical aspiration technology (NICO Myriad) for intrauterine use during fetoscopic procedures to manage large hematomas when standard techniques are insufficient. This innovation improves visualization and procedural safety in complex fetal surgeries.
for complex monochorionic twin complications (TTTS, TAPS, sFGR)
■ Fetal endoscopic tracheal occlusion for severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia ■ Advanced image-guided fetal interventions (shunts, PUBS/IUT and complex intrauterine procedures)
The Fetal Center has experienced rapid and sustained growth in referral volume, reflecting its
The Fetal Center at Riley Children’s includes board certified physicians and surgeons from multiple specialties.
INTERIM CO-DIRECTOR | DIRECTOR, FETAL SURGERY AND PLACENTA ACCRETA PROGRAM Hiba J. Mustafa, MD, FACOG, FAIUM, FOMA Assistant Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, IU School of Medicine > Connect with Dr. Mustafa on Doximity. > See directory listing
emergence as a regional and increasingly national destination for complex fetal care. Referrals more than doubled over five years, increasing from approximately 280 in 2020 to 645 in 2025. An increasing proportion of our referrals originate from outside the immediate region.
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Fetal Intervention Volume: 2022 – 2025
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