can lasers be used to remove birth defects in a baby whilst they are still in the womb?

Question: can lasers be used to remove birth defects in a baby whilst they are still in the womb?
- Keywords:
  baby,
  birth,
  defect,
  womb
Asked by listt002 to Tom on 28 Jun 2012.
- Tom Lister answered on 28 Jun 2012:
  
  This one is close to my heart. My twins suffered from something called Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (and were born very early as a result). This is caused by blood shunting from one baby to the other through their shared placenta. Lasers have been used to get rid of the blood vessels which are causing this, effectively treating the condition.
  
  Unfortunately, the treatment was not available for my boys, but I got friendly with experts in the US and the Netherlands when I was researching it. I have been to visit the Netherlands guy (who invented the treatment) and he is going to examine me for my PhD soon.

listt002 commented on 29 Jun 2012:

Thankyou for telling me about this topic and your situation. I had heard about this briefly before but never thought that it could happen to every day people. Thanks again 🙂

Log in to Reply

Question: can lasers be used to remove birth defects in a baby whilst they are still in the womb?