Maternofetais

Maternofetais, or maternal-fetal medicine, is a medical subspecialty of obstetrics that focuses on the care of pregnant people and their fetuses when pregnancies are at increased risk. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists manage pregnancies affected by maternal health conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, autoimmune disease, or infectious disease), fetal concerns (such as congenital anomalies, fetal growth restriction, or suspected genetic disorders), and pregnancies involving multiple gestations or placental complications. The field emphasizes diagnosis, surveillance, and interventions intended to optimize outcomes for both mother and fetus through specialized imaging, testing, and coordinated care.

Key diagnostic tools include high-resolution ultrasound and fetal echocardiography, Doppler studies of fetal and placental blood flow, non-invasive prenatal testing, and invasive procedures such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. Management often involves multidisciplinary coordination with neonatology, genetics, maternal medicine, pediatrics, and, when needed, fetal surgery or fetal therapy. Therapeutic options may range from medical optimization of maternal conditions to procedures such as intrauterine transfusion, laser therapy for twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, or fetoscopic and other fetal interventions aimed at treating conditions before birth. The goal is to reduce risks and improve survival and long-term health for both mother and child.

Education and practice patterns vary by country, but maternal-fetal medicine is usually a recognized obstetrics subspecialty requiring additional fellowship training after obstetrics residency and certification by a national or regional board. High-risk obstetric units or tertiary care centers commonly host MFM programs, which collaborate with general obstetrics, neonatology, genetics, and pediatric subspecialties. The field has evolved alongside advances in fetal imaging, genetic testing, and neonatal care, enabling earlier diagnosis and, in some cases, in-utero treatment of fetal conditions.