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Fetal Endotracheal Occlusion (FETO) in Fetuses With Severe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

Not Applicable
Not yet recruiting
Conditions
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia
Interventions
Device: Fetal Endotracheal Occlusion (FETO)
Registration Number
NCT06281717
Lead Sponsor
Alireza Shamshirsaz
Brief Summary

The goal of this pilot trial is to learn more about the role of Fetal Endotracheal Occlusion (FETO) as an intervention in fetuses with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The research team will investigate the feasibility and safety of the FETO procedure, as well as determine whether FETO can improve lung growth before birth, and survival after birth.

This study will enroll 10 pregnant participants to undergo the FETO procedure at a gestational age of 27 weeks 0 days to 29 weeks 6 days. The participant will be monitored for a few weeks, and then the FETO removal procedure will be performed ideally at 34 weeks 0 days to 34 weeks 6 days, but may be indicated earlier as determined by the Maternal Fetal care team. The pregnant participant and their baby will continue to be monitored during delivery and up until the child reaches 2 years of age.

Detailed Description

The goal of this study is to learn more about the role of Fetal Endotracheal Occlusion (FETO) as an intervention in fetuses with isolated severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). CDH is a condition in which the diaphragm fails to completely close, leaving a gap through which abdominal organs can herniate and slide into and out of the chest. In severe cases, abdominal organs move into the chest and stay there, putting pressure on the heart and lungs and potentially causing the disruption or deformation of these structures. Impaired development of the lungs can often lead to a condition known as pulmonary hypertension, a form of high blood pressure that damages the heart. Pulmonary hypoplasia and pulmonary hypertension can be lethal. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) affects 1 in 2,200 to 5,000 live births per year.

FETO will be performed with the goal of promoting lung growth and improving neonatal outcomes. FETO is a minimally invasive procedure in which a balloon device is inserted into the trachea of the fetus. The devices involved are the Goldballoon Detachable Balloon (GOLDBAL2) along with the Delivery Microcatheter (BALTACCI-BDPE100). The balloon would be left in place for several weeks and allow the lungs to grow, after which it would be removed, enabling the lungs to mature before birth. Participants will continue to be monitored up until the child reaches 2 years of age in order to assess mental and physical development after FETO.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
10
Inclusion Criteria
  • Pregnant patient 18 and older who is able to consent
  • Singleton pregnancy
  • Ability to reside within 30 minutes of Boston Children's Hospital for the duration of the FETO intervention, from the time of balloon placement until balloon removal
  • Patient has a support person who is able to stay with them for the duration of the pregnancy

Fetal:

  • Reassuring genetic analysis demonstrated by either normal Karyotype, normal fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X and Y, or chromosomal microarray (CMA) with non-pathologic variants
  • Diagnosis of isolated left CDH with liver up
  • Gestation at enrollment prior to 29 weeks 5 days
  • SEVERE pulmonary hypoplasia with ultrasound Observed/Expected Lung-to-Head Ratio (O/E LHR) < 25%
Exclusion Criteria
  • Maternal contraindication to fetoscopic surgery or severe maternal medical condition in pregnancy
  • Technical limitations precluding fetoscopic surgery, including uterine anomaly such as large or multiple fibroids, or Mullerian duct anomaly
  • Latex allergy
  • Preterm labor, shortened cervix (<20mm at enrollment or within 24 hours of FETO balloon insertion procedure) or uterine anomaly strongly predisposing to preterm labor, placenta previa
  • Severe maternal obesity pre-pregnancy (BMI > 40)
  • Psychosocial ineligibility, precluding consent, as determined by clinic social worker during review
  • Inability to remain at FETO site during time period of tracheal occlusion, delivery, and postnatal care
  • Right-sided or bilateral, left-sided CDH observed-to-expected lung to head ratio > 25% on ultrasound
  • Additional fetal anomaly and chromosomal abnormalities by ultrasound, MRI, or echocardiogram that will significantly worsen prognosis
  • History of incompetent cervix with or without cerclage
  • Placental abnormalities (previa, abruption, accreta) known at time of enrollment
  • Maternal-fetal RH (rhesus) isoimmunization, Kell sensitization, or neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia affecting the current pregnancy
  • Maternal HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C status positive

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Fetal Endotracheal Occlusion (FETO)Fetal Endotracheal Occlusion (FETO)Participants with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia will undergo the FETO therapy.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Type of FETO releasePrior to delivery, ideally at 34 weeks

Emergent or non-emergent FETO release

Gestational age at deliveryAt delivery

Gestational age at delivery will be recorded

Successful Ballon PlacementGestational age of 27 weeks 0 days to 29 weeks 6 days

Defined as direct visualization of balloon deployment above the carina at the time of FETO procedure

Successful Balloon RemovalPrior to delivery, ideally at 34 weeks

Removal of the balloon prior to delivery, ideally during 34 weeks gestation

Balloon placement operative timeGestational age of 27 weeks 0 days to 29 weeks 6 days

Length of FETO procedure for successful balloon placement

Balloon removal operative timePrior to delivery, ideally at 34 weeks

Length of FETO procedure for successful balloon removal

Maternal ComplicationsFrom balloon placement to delivery

Maternal complications include: preterm labor, premature rupture of membranes, oligohydramnios, polyhydramnios, chorioamnionitis

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Observed-to-Expected Lung to Head RatioCalculated at balloon removal, ideally at 34 weeks gestation

Prenatal ultrasound will measure the observed-to-expected lung to head ratio (o/e LHR) at weekly visits while the balloon is in place and after balloon removal. Fetal lung growth will be calculated as the difference between the o/e LHR pre-balloon placement and the o/e LHR after balloon removal.

Oxygen dependencyAt time of discharge, on average at 2-3 months of age

Infant dependency on oxygen as defined by Bancalari 2001

NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) stayFrom birth until discharge, at an average of 2-3 months of age

Number of days spent in the neonatal intensive care unit

Presence of periventricular leukomalaciaFrom birth until 2 months of age

Incidence of periventricular leukomalacia at \<2 months postnatally

Fetal lung volumeOnce per week from balloon placement to removal. This measure will be recorded at earliest gestational age of 27 weeks 0 days, and latest at 34+6/7 weeks' gestation.

Fetal lung volume will be monitored on ultrasound

Infant survivalAt hospital discharge or 6 months of age, whichever comes first. Hospital discharge typically occurs at 2-3 months of age

Survival at discharge from the hospital, or at 6 months of age if still hospitalized

Presence of neonatal sepsisFrom birth until 1 month of age

Incidence of neonatal sepsis

Infant NeurodevelopmentAt 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months of age

Neurodevelopmental testing of the infant using the Bayley-4

Route of deliveryAt delivery

Delivery route will be recorded

Maternal hospitalizationFrom delivery until discharge, around 2-3 months of age

Total days of maternal hospital stay after delivery

Number of infants requiring ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation)Birth to 6 months

Use of ECMO support will be documented

Ventilator supportUp to 2 years of age

Number of days on ventilator support

Presence of intraventricular hemorrhageUp to 2 years of age

Incidence of intraventricular hemorrhage (grade 0-III)

Retinopathy of prematurityFrom birth to 1 month of age

Incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (grade III or higher)

Presence of gastro-esophageal refluxFrom birth until 2 years of age

Incidence of gastro-esophageal reflux

CDH repair typePostnatal, at time of CDH repair, typically within 2 weeks of birth

CDH repair type will be documented as patch or muscle flap

Pulmonary functionAt discharge around 2-3 months and at one year of age

Pulmonary function by spirometry

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Boston Children's Hospital

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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