Planning the Best Care for Your Baby with CHAOS
If I diagnose your baby with CHAOS, I’ll recommend several additional tests to better understand your baby’s condition and develop the safest treatment plan. I’ll perform a fetal echocardiogram to carefully evaluate your baby’s heart, since some babies with CHAOS may also have congenital heart defects. Throughout your pregnancy, I’ll closely monitor your baby for early signs of hydrops fetalis, a serious condition caused by fluid buildup that requires prompt attention. I may also recommend genetic testing, such as a karyotype analysis, to look for chromosomal abnormalities that could influence treatment decisions. Most cases of CHAOS occur as isolated conditions with a very low chance of happening again in future pregnancies. However, if CHAOS is associated with Fraser syndrome, the risk of recurrence is higher. I’ll also arrange consultations with a medical geneticist, pediatric surgeon, and our multidisciplinary fetal therapy team so that you receive comprehensive, coordinated care throughout your pregnancy.
Because babies with CHAOS require immediate airway management at birth, I’ll recommend that you deliver at a tertiary care center, such as The Medical City Ortigas. During this highly specialized procedure, your baby is partially delivered while remaining attached to the placenta through the umbilical cord. This allows your baby to continue receiving oxygen from you while our multidisciplinary team safely establishes the airway. Working alongside pediatric surgeons, pediatric otolaryngologists, anesthesiologists, neonatologists, and other specialists, I’ll help coordinate every step of your care. Using specialized instruments, the team carefully evaluates the airway and, when possible, relieves the obstruction. If necessary, a tracheostomy is performed to create a secure airway before the umbilical cord is clamped. Once your baby’s breathing is stable, the delivery is completed and your baby is transferred to the neonatal intensive care team for continued care. Thanks to advances in fetal therapy and the EXIT procedure, many babies who were once considered untreatable now have the opportunity for survival and a good long-term quality of life. Throughout this journey, I’ll be with you to explain every step, answer your questions, and help you make informed decisions with confidence and compassion.