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Fetal neurology clinic

Fetal neurology clinic

Modern imaging techniques means the fetal brain can be seen in greater detail than ever before. For families where there are concerns regarding fetal brain development, an integrated assessment with neuroimaging specialists, a clinical genetics team, and fetal medicine specialists is essential.

Clinic hours

Thursdays 10.00am - 12.30pm

Introduction

The fetal brain undergoes rapid growth and development throughout pregnancy, but may be affected by a variety of conditions, including infection, disruption of blood supply, genetic conditions or abnormalities of structural development. Our understanding of both normal and abnormal brain appearances have been greatly enhanced by techniques such as targeted ultrasound (neurosonography), and fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which allows greater resolution of brain development than ever before. "For families faced with concerns regarding their baby’s brain development, it is essential that we are able to combine the best imaging modalities and genetic testing techniques. This gives us the best chance of determining the likely underlying cause, and predicting outlook so we can partner with families as they make plans for the remainder of the pregnancy and beyond," said Dr George MacGillivray.

Our service

Mercy Perinatal recognises that families facing concerns regarding development of their baby’s brain require input from many disciplines in an integrated service. In this clinic, our ultrasound and fetal MRI specialists work with the obstetrician and a neurogeneticist to provide accurate, timely information regarding cause and prognosis. This clinic is dedicated to women who have had an ultrasound that has raised concerns about brain development, or whose fetuses are known to be at risk because of a genetic condition or infection exposure in early pregnancy.

How to be referred

For clinicians - who can be referred?

This clinic is for women with suspected or confirmed abnormalities of the fetal central nervous system including cerebral ventriculomegaly, and midline or posterior fossa developmental abnormalities. We also look after women with suspected fetal intracranial haemorrhage, tumours, or sequelae of intrauterine infections such as cytomegalovirus, Zika virus or toxoplasmosis.

How to refer a patient