Seoul Asan Medical Center has opened South Korea's first dedicated 'Fetal Heart Center' to specialize in congenital heart diseases in fetuses. The center provides a comprehensive treatment system that integrates prenatal diagnosis, delivery planning, and post-birth care and surgery.
The center was inaugurated on September 23, as announced on September 28. It expands and separates the fetal heart disease services that began at the country's first fetal treatment center, which opened in 2004. This independent center is the first of its kind in South Korea.
Congenital heart defects occur in approximately 8 to 10 out of every 1,000 live births. Common conditions include ventricular septal defects, transposition of the great vessels, and Tetralogy of Fallot. Early and accurate diagnosis of these conditions allows for timely treatment planning before birth.
The Fetal Heart Center involves a multidisciplinary team, including obstetricians, neonatologists, pediatric cardiologists, and pediatric cardiac surgeons. They assess the fetal heart condition and the severity of any anomalies to collaboratively establish delivery timing, methods, immediate post-birth care, and surgical plans.
The center is located on the sixth floor of a new building that includes delivery rooms, operating rooms, and a neonatal intensive care unit. Plans are in place to expand fetal heart treatment sessions and introduce additional advanced echocardiography equipment. The hospital expects that enhancing its facilities and equipment will enable it to treat more high-risk fetuses and those with severe heart conditions.
Since its opening in 2004, the fetal treatment center at Seoul Asan Medical Center has treated over 30,000 fetuses. The cumulative number of fetal echocardiograms performed has reached 100,000, with diagnostic tests utilizing amniotic fluid, chorionic villi, and umbilical cord blood totaling 10,000. The annual number of prenatal consultations exceeds 200.
The center has extensive experience in complex fetal treatments. It has performed 711 fetal shunt surgeries to drain fluid from the fetus without opening the mother's abdomen. Additionally, it has conducted 336 fetal endoscopic surgeries, 294 radiofrequency ablation procedures, and 234 fetal blood transfusions, totaling 1,575 complex fetal treatments.
The demand for fetal heart care has been steadily increasing. The number of fetal echocardiograms rose from 298 in 2004 to a record 1,531 last year, with about one-third of these being heart examinations.
The center plans to actively adopt the latest treatment methods, including advanced fetal cardiac catheterization procedures.
Won Hye-seong, director of the Fetal Treatment Center at Seoul Asan Medical Center and an obstetrics professor, stated, "We will continue to enhance the expertise of the Fetal Treatment Center and the Fetal Heart Center to ensure that high-risk mothers and fetuses receive safe treatment and return home healthy."
As the demand for specialized care in fetal and pediatric medicine grows, major hospitals are expanding dedicated centers. Recently, Korea University Anam Hospital opened a pediatric emergency room within its regional emergency medical center. This expansion includes hiring three pediatric emergency specialists and operating four dedicated beds for pediatric patients, laying the groundwork for enhanced pediatric emergency care.
A representative from Korea University Anam Hospital explained, "By systematically reinforcing dedicated medical personnel, beds, and treatment systems based on the existing pediatric emergency room infrastructure, we aim to improve the professionalism and stability of pediatric emergency care, providing faster and more specialized emergency treatment for pediatric patients."
Director Han Seung-beom expressed hope that pediatric emergency patients will receive prompt and safe care, leading to positive treatment outcomes through seamless connections with pediatric departments.
The center was inaugurated on September 23, as announced on September 28. It expands and separates the fetal heart disease services that began at the country's first fetal treatment center, which opened in 2004. This independent center is the first of its kind in South Korea.
Congenital heart defects occur in approximately 8 to 10 out of every 1,000 live births. Common conditions include ventricular septal defects, transposition of the great vessels, and Tetralogy of Fallot. Early and accurate diagnosis of these conditions allows for timely treatment planning before birth.
The Fetal Heart Center involves a multidisciplinary team, including obstetricians, neonatologists, pediatric cardiologists, and pediatric cardiac surgeons. They assess the fetal heart condition and the severity of any anomalies to collaboratively establish delivery timing, methods, immediate post-birth care, and surgical plans.
The center is located on the sixth floor of a new building that includes delivery rooms, operating rooms, and a neonatal intensive care unit. Plans are in place to expand fetal heart treatment sessions and introduce additional advanced echocardiography equipment. The hospital expects that enhancing its facilities and equipment will enable it to treat more high-risk fetuses and those with severe heart conditions.
Since its opening in 2004, the fetal treatment center at Seoul Asan Medical Center has treated over 30,000 fetuses. The cumulative number of fetal echocardiograms performed has reached 100,000, with diagnostic tests utilizing amniotic fluid, chorionic villi, and umbilical cord blood totaling 10,000. The annual number of prenatal consultations exceeds 200.
The center has extensive experience in complex fetal treatments. It has performed 711 fetal shunt surgeries to drain fluid from the fetus without opening the mother's abdomen. Additionally, it has conducted 336 fetal endoscopic surgeries, 294 radiofrequency ablation procedures, and 234 fetal blood transfusions, totaling 1,575 complex fetal treatments.
The demand for fetal heart care has been steadily increasing. The number of fetal echocardiograms rose from 298 in 2004 to a record 1,531 last year, with about one-third of these being heart examinations.
The center plans to actively adopt the latest treatment methods, including advanced fetal cardiac catheterization procedures.
Won Hye-seong, director of the Fetal Treatment Center at Seoul Asan Medical Center and an obstetrics professor, stated, "We will continue to enhance the expertise of the Fetal Treatment Center and the Fetal Heart Center to ensure that high-risk mothers and fetuses receive safe treatment and return home healthy."
As the demand for specialized care in fetal and pediatric medicine grows, major hospitals are expanding dedicated centers. Recently, Korea University Anam Hospital opened a pediatric emergency room within its regional emergency medical center. This expansion includes hiring three pediatric emergency specialists and operating four dedicated beds for pediatric patients, laying the groundwork for enhanced pediatric emergency care.
A representative from Korea University Anam Hospital explained, "By systematically reinforcing dedicated medical personnel, beds, and treatment systems based on the existing pediatric emergency room infrastructure, we aim to improve the professionalism and stability of pediatric emergency care, providing faster and more specialized emergency treatment for pediatric patients."
Director Han Seung-beom expressed hope that pediatric emergency patients will receive prompt and safe care, leading to positive treatment outcomes through seamless connections with pediatric departments.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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