Can a tiny balloon in the womb save babies born with a hole in their diaphragm?
NCT ID NCT06884423
First seen Jul 22, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests a procedure called FETO (fetoscopic endoluminal tracheal occlusion) for babies diagnosed before birth with a severe form of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). In CDH, a hole in the diaphragm lets abdominal organs push into the chest, preventing the lungs from growing. The FETO procedure involves placing a detachable balloon in the baby's windpipe to temporarily block it, which may force the lungs to expand and grow. The study compares survival and long-term outcomes between babies who receive FETO and those who receive standard care without the procedure.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- a detachable balloon placed in the fetal windpipe to block it temporarily, allowing the lungs to grow before birth
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this procedure could offer a way to improve survival for babies with the most severe forms of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a condition that is often fatal at birth.
- What could go wrong
- This is an invasive prenatal procedure with risks to both mother and fetus, including preterm labor, membrane rupture, and complications from balloon placement or removal. The trial is still testing whether the benefits outweigh these risks.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
RECRUITINGPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104, United States
Contact Email: •••••@•••••
Contact
Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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