Balloon in the womb may save babies with rare birth defect
NCT ID NCT00881660
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested a procedure called FETO (fetal endotracheal occlusion) in 20 pregnant women whose babies had a severe form of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). In CDH, a hole in the diaphragm allows abdominal organs to move into the chest, preventing the lungs from growing normally. The procedure involves placing a small balloon in the baby's windpipe to block it temporarily, which helps the lungs expand and develop. The balloon is removed before birth. The main goal was to see if the procedure could improve survival to two years of age.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Goldballoon Detachable Balloon and delivery microcatheter
- What this could lead to
- If successful, FETO could improve survival rates for babies born with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia by allowing their lungs to develop before birth.
- What could go wrong
- This was a small pilot study with only 20 participants, so results may not apply to all cases. The procedure carries risks for both mother and fetus, including premature delivery or complications from balloon placement.
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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
Locations
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Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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