First name
Nahla
Last name
Khalek

Title

Specialty-Based Variation in Applying Maternal-Fetal Surgery Trial Evidence.

Year of Publication

2017

Number of Pages

210-217

Date Published

2017

ISSN Number

1421-9964

Abstract

<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: </strong>The Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) compared prenatal with postnatal surgery for fetal myelomeningocele (MMC). We sought to understand how subspecialists interpreted the trial results and whether their practice has changed.</p>

<p><strong>MATERIALS AND METHODS: </strong>Cross-sectional, mailed survey of 1,200 randomly selected maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) physicians, neonatologists, and pediatric surgeons.</p>

<p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Of 1,176 eligible physicians, 670 (57%) responded. Compared to postnatal closure, 33% viewed prenatal closure as "very favorable" and 60% as "somewhat favorable." Most physicians reported being more likely to recommend prenatal surgery (69%), while 28% were less likely to recommend pregnancy termination. In multivariable analysis, neonatologists were more likely to report prenatal closure as "very favorable" (OR 1.6; 95% CI: 1.03-2.5). Pediatric surgeons and neonatologists were more likely to recommend prenatal closure (OR 2.1; 95% CI: 1.3-3.3, and OR 2.9; 95% CI: 1.8-4.6) and less likely to recommend termination (OR 3.8; 95% CI: 2.2-6.7, and OR 4.7; 95% CI: 2.7-8.1). In addition, physicians with a higher tolerance for prematurity were more likely to report prenatal closure as "very favorable" (OR 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00-1.05).</p>

<p><strong>DISCUSSION: </strong>In light of the MOMS trial, the vast majority of pediatric subspecialists and MFMs view prenatal MMC closure favorably. These attitudes vary by specialty and risk tolerance.</p>

DOI

10.1159/000455024

Alternate Title

Fetal. Diagn. Ther.

PMID

28301843

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