KFSHRC Leads Pioneering Preventive, Therapeutic Programs in Fetal Care
King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC) is at the forefront of innovative medical solutions for fetal care during pregnancy, ranging from screenings to prevent the transmission of genetic diseases to newborns to therapeutic procedures and advanced surgical interventions.
According to a press release issued today by KFSHRC, these measures aim to protect fetal health, improve the chances of average growth, and reduce the risk of congenital disorders, ensuring the well-being of both mothers and fetuses alike and reflecting KFSHRC’s commitment to delivering the highest levels of specialized healthcare.
The hospital’s Preventive Fetal Screening Program is a key pillar in maternal and fetal care, targeting families with hereditary diseases. KFSHRC said the screening process detects potential genetic disorders to ensure the fetus is free from any genetic defects during the first months of pregnancy, thus safeguarding the health of the fetus. This allows doctors to manage the challenge of the limited time window between the 9th and 19th weeks of pregnancy, during which they can intervene medically to ensure the fetus’s well-being.
According to the release, approximately 1,500 families with hereditary conditions benefit from this service annually due to the continuous collaboration between the Centre for Genomic Medicine and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The release added that this partnership enhances healthcare for pregnant women by providing effective preventive solutions that address the growing medical challenges in diagnosing complex genetic disorders.
The Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy Program offers treatment for many complex medical conditions through cooperation between various diagnostic, medical, and surgical specialties. These conditions include Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, caused by an unbalanced blood distribution between identical twins, and Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion Syndrome, which compromises the twins' health due to abnormal blood exchange between mother and fetus.
The care also extends to congenital diseases of the lungs, diaphragm, brain, and spinal cord, which may lead to serious complications during pregnancy or after birth. Various interventions, such as needles or endoscopy, are used to alleviate the impact of these conditions. Additionally, fetal anemia is treated through intrauterine blood transfusions using precise techniques.
KFSHRC in Riyadh successfully repaired a spinal cord defect in a 26-week-old fetus using fetal endoscopic surgery, marking the first such procedure in the Middle East. According to the release, the defect was successfully repaired, fully protecting the spinal cord and reducing future complications for the newborn, who was then delivered naturally at 36 weeks in good health.
KFSHRC, the release said, has been ranked first in the Middle East and Africa and 20th globally on the list of the world’s top 250 Academic Medical Centres for the second consecutive year. It has also been recognized as the most valuable healthcare brand in the Kingdom and the Middle East, according to the 2024 Brand Finance rankings. Additionally, in the same year, it was ranked among the world's best 250 hospitals by Newsweek magazine.
