You and your unborn baby receive dedicated care. Our fetal medicine specialists work closely with your OB-GYN (who may specialize in high-risk pregnancies) and newborn experts (neonatologists). Your family also receives care, guidance and support from nurse coordinators, genetic counselors, social workers and other care team members.

Newborns with structural birth defects often need advanced medical care or surgery. Our level 4 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provides the highest level of care for your baby.

Our fetal specialists are dedicated to caring for babies diagnosed with birth defects, as well as improving diagnostic tests and treatments. We’re currently spearheading a world-renowned spina bifida clinical trial. The CuRe Trial focuses on a promising new treatment that combines fetal surgery and stem cell therapy.

Gastroschisis occurs when a baby’s abdominal wall doesn’t fully close. The opening allows organs like the intestines to form outside their body. A baby undergoes a procedure after birth to put the organs back in the abdomen and close the opening.

Cleft lip occurs when a baby’s lip doesn’t form completely. A cleft palate happens when the roof of the mouth (palate) doesn’t form completely and there’s an opening in the palate. A baby may have one or both conditions. The UC Davis Children’s Hospital Cleft and Craniofacial Team offers expert care, including surgery, to correct these structural changes.

Congenital heart defects are the most common structural birth defect. These are changes in the shape or structure of a baby’s heart. These changes often affect how well the heart functions. We offer advanced fetal cardiology services.

Some babies have limbs that don’t form completely. Others have a foot that turns inward (clubfoot) because the tendons (tissues) that connect muscle to bone are too short. Our pediatric orthopedic surgeons expertly treat clubfoot and other limb issues.

Spina bifida (myelomeningocele) is a neural tube defect that affects the formation of a baby’s spine. Part of a baby’s spinal cord comes through an opening in the spine that didn’t close. Your unborn baby may benefit from a clinical trial that combines fetal surgery with stem cell therapy.

Being pregnant at age 35 or older may increase risk.

Exposure to certain chemicals or the use of some medications may make birth defects more likely.

Having type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes may increase risk. Bacterial infections or viral infections during pregnancy are also risk factors.

Drinking alcohol, smoking or substance abuse during pregnancy may lead to birth defects.