Every pregnancy is unique, so I carefully evaluate several factors before recommending the most appropriate treatment for your baby with CPAM. Together, we will consider the size and number of the lung lesions, whether they are solid or fluid-filled, and whether complications such as hydrops or mirror syndrome have developed. My goal is always to recommend the safest and most effective approach for both you and your baby.
If your baby’s lung lesion is solid or is growing rapidly, I may recommend maternal steroid therapy as the first step. Steroids can help slow the growth of the lesion and, in many cases, reduce the need for fetal surgery. If the lesion contains large fluid-filled cysts, I may recommend a procedure called thoracentesis, where I carefully drain the fluid using a needle guided by ultrasound. To prevent the fluid from returning, I may also place a thoracoamniotic shunt, a small catheter that continuously drains the fluid from the cyst into the amniotic cavity.
If your baby has a large solid lung lesion accompanied by severe hydrops, I may recommend open fetal surgery to remove the affected portion of the lung before birth. After the procedure, I will closely monitor your baby’s recovery with regular ultrasound examinations throughout the remainder of your pregnancy. If fetal surgery is performed, I will usually recommend delivery by Cesarean section. The encouraging news is that babies who successfully undergo fetal surgery generally have an excellent prognosis, and most breathe well on their own after birth with little or no respiratory support.
Your safety is always my highest priority. If you develop mirror syndrome, a rare but serious condition that can threaten your health, I will discuss the need for early delivery to protect you while providing the best possible care for your baby.