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Study identifier: NCT03980717 Synced from ClinicalTrials.gov · July 28, 2026
● Recruiting

Fetal Endotracheal Occlusion (FETO) in the Resolution of Pulmonary Hypertension in Fetuses With Severe CDH

Condition: Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia  ·  Sponsor: Michael A Belfort

PhaseNA
Planned participants80
Who can joinFemale, 18 Years to 45 Years
Healthy volunteersNo

About this study

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs when the diaphragm fails to fully fuse and leaves a portal through which abdominal structures can migrate into the thorax. In the more severe cases, the abdominal structures remain in the thoracic cavity and compromise the development of the lungs. Infants born with this defect have a decreased capacity for gas exchange; mortality rates after birth have been reported between 40-60%. Now that CDH can be accurately diagnosed by mid-gestation, a number of strategies have been developed to repair the hernia and promote lung tissue development. Fetal tracheal occlusion (FETO), using a fetoscopically delivered and removed balloon device, has been used to temporarily occlude the trachea and increase lung distension in CDH to allow the lungs to develop and has been shown to increase survival at birth. The role of FETO in the resolution of pulmonary hypertension in fetuses with severe left- and right- sided CDH remains unclear. Our recent observation that FETO is associated with a higher proportion of infants who resolve their pulmonary hypertension by the age of 1 year as compared with those who have not had FETO, is based on a retrospective cohort study, which, as with any such design, has some intrinsic limitations. Thus, a prospective cohort study that is appropriately powered to confirm or disprove this encouraging observation is needed. If our preliminary observation is confirmed, resolution of PH by the age of 1 year could be added …

This description comes directly from the study's public registry record.

Talk to the study team

Michael Belfort, MD PhD  ·  832-826-7375  ·  belfort@bcm.edu

Rebecca M Johnson, MS  ·  832-826-7451  ·  rj2@bcm.edu

Always discuss trial participation with your own doctor first.

Locations (1)

Texas Childrens HospitalHouston, Texas, United StatesRecruiting

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Source record: clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03980717