
Fetal Treatment Center
Our Fetal Treatment Center is a world leader in diagnosing and addressing birth defects before delivery. We provide care for the full range of fetal defects as well as genetic diseases that can be treated with stem cells, and we’re one of the few centers in the nation with the expertise to handle the most rare and complex cases.
Should your baby need surgery before birth, you’re in good hands. Our center has the most experience with fetal surgery of any institution worldwide, including with less invasive approaches called fetal endoscopic surgery (Fetendo) and image-guided surgery. Many of the fetal surgical techniques now widely practiced were pioneered at UCSF.
A team approach is central to our care. As a patient, your treatment recommendations will be based on input from nearly 50 types of specialists, including fetal and pediatric surgeons, radiologists, perinatologists, neonatologists, pediatric cardiologists, pediatric urologists, geneticists, anesthesiologists, pediatric neurologists, pediatric neurosurgeons, nurses and social workers. By working together, we ensure that our patients receive the highest level of comprehensive care.
Why choose UCSF
Patients experiencing a complicated pregnancy will find that care at UCSF has a number of advantages, such as:
- We’re the only California hospital with a specialized clinic dedicated to long-term follow-up care for children with complex birth defects.
- We’re one of the only hospitals in the nation to offer whole genome sequencing, a leading-edge genetic test for unexplained fetal complications.
- Our nurse concierges seamlessly coordinate care, bringing new patients in the door within one day and providing support throughout the process of prenatal diagnosis, delivery and follow-up.
- In San Francisco, a delivery center adjacent to the intensive care nursery means that parents and babies can remain together during treatment.
- We have dedicated centers of excellence for addressing neurological conditions and heart conditions.
Our locations (2)
Special programs

Fetal Cardiovascular Program
Our experts evaluate the health of unborn babies' hearts, and when we find a problem, determine the best treatment approach.
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Fetal Neurology Center of Excellence
Our specialists, leaders in the new field of fetal neurology, can provide prenatal diagnoses of birth defects that may affect the baby’s nervous system.
Fetal Neurology Center of Excellence
Hydrops Center of Excellence
We provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment services when a fetus is threatened by hydrops fetalis, a dangerous buildup of fluid in the body.
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Neonatal Cardiovascular Center of Excellence
We care for premature and critically ill newborns with complex heart conditions.
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Whole Genome Sequencing Program
Raid whole genome sequencing can quickly detect almost any genetic issue in a fetus or baby. It’s the most comprehensive genetic test available.
Start readingOur team
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Hanmin Lee
MD
General Surgery -
Mary E. Norton
MD
Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Clinical Genetics -
Karla Bermudez Wagner
MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal and Fetal Medicine -
Katherine Connolly
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Vickie Feldstein
MD
Diagnostic Radiology -
Marla Ferschl
MD
Anesthesiology, Pediatric Anesthesiology -
Neda Ghaffari
MD
Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology -
Kami Gill
MD
Pediatric Cardiology, Fetal Cardiology -
Orit Glenn
MD
Diagnostic Radiology, Neuroradiology -
Ruth Goldstein
MD
Diagnostic Radiology -
Juan M. Gonzalez-Velez
MD
Maternal and Fetal Medicine -
Kyle D. Heraty
MS
Genetic Counselor -
Akos Herzeg
MD
Fetal Surgery -
Roxanna A. Irani
MD, PhD
Maternal and Fetal Medicine -
Roberta Keller
MD
Neonatology -
Billie Lianoglou
MS
-
Tippi C. Mackenzie
MD
General Surgery -
Anita J. Moon-Grady
MD
Pediatric Cardiology -
Bridget LaMonica Ostrem
MD
Pediatric Neurology -
Elizabeth (Libby) Patberg
MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology -
Francesca Perrone
NP
Family Medicine -
Shabnam Peyvandi
MD
Pediatric Cardiology -
Liina Poder
MD
Diagnostic Radiology -
Annalisa Post
MD
Obstetrics -
Larry Rand
MD
Maternal and Fetal Medicine -
Sarah T. Russell
MS
-
Nasim Sobhani
MD
Obstetrics -
Teresa N. Sparks
MD, MS
Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics
-
Kurtis Auguste
MD
Pediatric Neurosurgery, Neurosurgery -
Laurence S. Baskin
MD
Pediatric Urology -
Paul R. Brakeman
MD
Nephrology, Pediatric Nephrology -
Michael Brook
MD
Pediatric Cardiology -
Hillary L. Copp
MD, MS
Urology, Pediatric Urology -
Nicole Cresalia
MD
Pediatric Cardiology, Fetal Cardiology -
Adam DeTora
MD
Neonatology -
Michael J. DiSandro
MD
Urology, Pediatric Urology -
Audrey E. Foster-Barber
MD, PhD
Pediatric Neurology -
Marisa Gardner
MD
Pediatric Neurology -
Nalin Gupta
MD, PhD
Neurosurgery -
Aaron Jensen
MD, M, ED
Pediatric General Surgery -
Luke M. Judge
MD, PhD
Neonatology -
Bamidele Kammen
MD
Diagnostic Radiology -
Neeru Kaushik
MD
Pediatric Cardiology -
Katelin Kramer
MD, MS
Neonatology -
Christina Lo
MD
Pediatric Nephrology -
Leslie Lusk
MD
Neonatology -
Vivienne Newman
MBBCH
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Critical Care Medicine -
Christopher Newton
MD
Pediatric General Surgery -
Amar Nijagal
MD
General Surgery -
Aris H. Oates
MD
Nephrology, Pediatric Nephrology -
Doruk E. Ozgediz
MD
General Surgery -
Mark Petersen
MD
Neonatology -
Emilio Quezada
MD
Pediatric Cardiology -
V. Mohan Reddy
MD
Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery -
Elizabeth E. Rogers
MD
Neonatology -
Eve Rorison
NP
-
Howard M. Rosenfeld
MD
Pediatric Cardiology -
Janet Shimotake
MD
Neonatology -
Thomas Shimotake
MD
Neonatology -
Dorothy Shum
MD
Diagnostic Radiology -
Peter P. Sun
MD
Neurosurgery, Pediatric Neurosurgery -
Yao Sun
MD, PhD
Neonatology -
Kate Swanson
MD
Obstetrics and Gynecology -
Anna Tran
NP
Fetal Cardiology -
Lan Vu
MD
General Surgery -
Alexander Wai
MD
Diagnostic Radiology, Pediatric Radiology -
Erica Winnicki
MD
Pediatric Nephrology
Patient stories
Fetal therapy for lysosomal storage diseases
An experimental enzyme treatment, delivered in utero, offers new hope to patients with rare and often fatal genetic disorders. (Image courtesy of André Coutu/Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario)
Awards & recognition
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Top 10 in the nation for neonatology
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Ranked among the nation's best in 11 specialties
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successful open fetal surgery in the world
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in number of fetal surgery clinical trials
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families treated from all 50 states and dozens of countries
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fetal treatment center in the nation
Cutting-edge research
Our experts have led or participated in every fetal treatment study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health. This pioneering research includes clinical trials of promising new therapies and supports the advanced care we provide.
Clinical trials

In Utero Enzyme Replacement Therapy (IUERT) for Fetuses with Lysosomal Storage Diseases (LSDs)
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Surveillance and Treatment to Prevent Fetal Atrioventricular Block Likely to Occur Quickly (STOP BLOQ)
LEarn moreOur research initiatives
Michael R. Harrison, M.D.
In 1981, Dr. Michael Harrison performed the first successful open surgery on a child still in the womb to correct a life-threatening birth defect, making UCSF the birthplace of fetal surgery. He co-founded and is director emeritus of UCSF's Fetal Treatment Center, a world leader in treating complex birth defects before and after birth.
Plan your visit
What to Bring
- Photo I.D.
- Health insurance card
- Insurance authorization, if required
- Doctor's referral, if required
- Recent test results related to your pregnancy
- List of your medications, including dosages, plus any you're allergic to
- List of questions you may have
- Device or paper for taking notes
Related clinics (5)

Fetal Cardiovascular Program
Support services
Stress-free visits
Accommodations. Admissions. Procedure prep. Get the info you need for smoother hospital stays.
Prepare for your child's stay