The Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment at CHOP

11/12/2025

Before Emily was even born, doctors discovered she had a large tumor on her tailbone called a sacrococcygeal teratoma. Emily’s mom, Eleanor, transferred their care to our Center and Emily was born in our Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit. A specialized fetal team safely removed the tumor, saving her life and Emily left the hospital a month later as a healthy, happy baby. Now 13, Emily is an outgoing, kind and fun big sister who loves singing, the theater, playing volleyball and listening to music.

Join us at the inaugural I ❤ CHOP Run, Walk & Virtual Challenge, presented by Philadelphia Insurance Companies, on April 26, 2026 to support patients like Emily. For those who want to participate remotely, I ❤ CHOP will continue in May with a month-long virtual activity challenge. Help create health futures by registering today: http://ms.spr.ly/6183tJN1F.

11/07/2025

Congratulations to Suzanne Debari, BS, RDMS, who was nominated for her exceptional care of a patient family and received The POPPIES Award this week! The POPPIES award recognizes those staff members who demonstrate the Power of Positive People in Excellent Service (POPPIES). Thank you, Suzanne, for all you do!

Learn more about our POPPIES award here: http://ms.spr.ly/6180tJQzE.

11/07/2025

Catherine and Casey were ecstatic when they learned they were expecting after a long IVF journey.

But at 13 weeks, they received difficult news — their baby, Amelia, had a giant omphalocele, a rare birth defect where some organs develop outside the body in a thin sac. The family’s doctor in the Cayman Islands knew Amelia would need highly specialized care not available locally.

Determined to give their daughter the best possible chance, Catherine and Casey turned to our Center, where they found the expertise — and hope — they were searching for.

Amelia’s journey began with a rare and complex birth defect. Thanks to expert care at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, she has overcome incredible challenges.

11/05/2025

This Halloween, the N/IICU team helped our tiniest patients enjoy their very first costumes and festivities, bringing joy to both babies and families. We know how meaningful these moments are for families.

Check out this People article highlighting our amazing Child Life Specialists and tiniest patients, below!

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) dressed young NICU patients up to celebrate Halloween. Some festive costumes included a bunny and a pumpkin, as well as twins dressed as ketchup and mustard.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween!

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! Fetal MRI images may look like they belong in a Halloween movie, but there’s no need to be spooked! In this Today Show article Suzanne Debari, a sonographer who leads our fetal ultrasound team, explains how these hauntingly cool images are actually all science.

Read the story, below!

“Hello, mother dear. I am coming for you.”

10/31/2025

Thank you JAM Against Spina Bifida for sharing this!

Happy almost Halloween! And thank you to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for making it possible to have these moments with our little boy! We love CHOP!

10/30/2025

Join us in celebrating our fabulous CFDT sonographers during Ultrasound Awareness Month!

10/21/2025

When Dr. Beverly Coleman started her career in radiology in the early 1970s, ultrasound was still a curiosity. The machines were massive, occupying entire rooms, and the images they produced were fuzzy and ghostly. Expectant mothers were wheeled in for a glimpse of the mysterious shapes on the monitor. Few imagined that one day, that same technology — now portable enough to hold in your hand — would help redefine what was possible in medicine, illuminating the earliest and most fragile chapters of human life.

As Dr. Coleman soon retires from her role as Director of Fetal Imaging in our Center, we celebrate a trailblazer who redefined her field, shattered barriers, and helped generations of families see hope where there once was uncertainty. Read more in this Q and A with Dr. Coleman!

Dr. Beverly Coleman’s pioneering work in fetal imaging transformed care for countless families — and her impact will continue to guide the field for years to come.

10/17/2025

October is Spina Bifida Awareness Month, and we would love to hear from YOU! Be sure to post an update or a photo of your spina bifida warrior in the comments section.

10/09/2025

Register your school for our annual and raise funds for care, cures and hope. Join us on December 5 or pick another day that works best for your school's calendar.

Learn more and register in the link below!

Pajama Day is a chance for your school to spend the day in your most comfortable jammies, invigorate your school’s sense of community and goodwill – and support kids who rely on Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for care, cures and hope.