Perinatology is a subspecialty of obstetrics concerned with the care of the fetus and complicated, high-risk pregnancies. Perinatology is also known as maternal-fetal medicine; the maternal-fetal medicine specialist typically works in consultation with the obstetrician.
Some of the conditions evaluated by Yeditepe University Hospital maternal-fetal specialists include:
Maternal conditions or diseases, including:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Preeclampsia (toxemia)
- Maternal metabolic diseases, including diabetes (both pregestational and gestational types)
- Infectious diseases (to include parvovirus, toxoplasmosis, hepatitis, HIV, and AIDS)
- Platelet alloimmunization (NAIT or FMAIT) (e.g. Rh negative mother sensitized to an Rh positive fetus)
- Maternal lupus (collagen vascular disorder)
- Poor past obstetrical history (e.g. past preterm deliveries, preterm labor, preterm cervical dilatation, premature rupture of membranes, repetitive pregnancy loss)
Multiple gestation (twins and higher order multiples)
A known/suspected fetal anomaly
- Suspected abnormal fetal growth
- Macrosomia (a baby that is too large)
- Fetal growth restriction (a baby that is too small)
Maternal family history of:
- Cardiac disease
- Renal disease
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Cystic fibrosis
Prenatal genetic testing and consultation
Yeditepe University Hospital’s specialists in various fields work side by side to diagnose and provide comprehensive care for the following:
- AFP (alpha fetoprotein) blood test (including the suspicion of a neural tube defect)
- Antenatal serum screening (triple screen/quad screen) with an increased risk/suspicion of a chromosomal abnormality such as Trisomy 21 [Down syndrome], Trisomy 13 or Trisomy 18
- The need for invasive fetal testing procedure(s) or other in utero therapeutic techniques (i.e., blood sampling/transfusion, platelet infusion, fetal bladder stent placement, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis (amnio) for maternal age or other factors).
