August 27-28, 2007

Sponsor/Co-Sponsor(s): Pregnancy and Perinatology Branch (PPB), Center for Developmental Biology and Perinatal Medicine (CDBPM), NICHD; Office of Rare Diseases, NIH; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; and American Academy of Pediatrics

Location: Rockville, Maryland
Purpose: Fetal death is reported to occur in 6.4 cases per 1,000 pregnancies in the United States, although it is anticipated that this figure is an underestimate. In half of these cases, antepartum risk factors are present, and, of these 25 percent to 75 percent may be amenable to prenatal modification. Multiple techniques for antepartum assessment of fetal well-being have been developed in attempts to identify fetuses at risk and enable prevention of adverse outcomes such as stillbirth and hypoxic central nervous system injury. However, the evidence base supporting their use and the recommendation of one modality over another is limited. It is not which strategy best reduces perinatal mortality and morbidity. At this two-day conference, participants will review the existing data on antepartum fetal assessment, including normal and abnormal fetal physiology, indications for testing, assessment techniques currently in use, emerging technologies, and the interpretation of results. The workshop will provide a basis for addressing this important aspect of perinatal care.

Contact: Caroline Signore, PPB, CDBPM, NICHD
Tel: (301) 496-5577
E-mail: signorec@mail.nih.gov