Balloon in the womb could save babies with rare birth defect
NCT ID NCT06179472
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests a procedure called FETO, where a tiny balloon is placed in the windpipe of unborn babies with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The balloon helps the lungs grow before birth and is later removed. Researchers want to see if this improves survival and reduces the need for breathing machines after delivery. The trial involves 20 pregnant people and will follow the babies for two years.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- BALT Goldbal2 detachable balloon (device)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this procedure could significantly increase survival and reduce severe lung and heart complications in babies with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, single-center trial with only 20 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The procedure carries risks of premature delivery or balloon-related complications.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Apr 2024
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2032
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 50 years
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Provision of signed and dated informed consent form * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability (meets psychosocial criteria below) for the duration of the study * Pregnant persons age 18 years and older * Singleton pregnancy * Absence of life-limiting genetic anomalies on microarray or karyotype on amniocentesis. Results by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) will be acceptable if the patient is \> 26 weeks gestation * Fetal echocardiogram with changes expected with CDH and no major structural cardiac defects (small ventricular septal defect (VSD)/atrial septal defect (ASD) may be included as they will not alter outcome and are not life-limiting) * Left or Right CDH with liver up without presence of concomitant life-limiting anomalies. * Gestational age for Left-CDH at enrollment prior to 29 weeks plus 6 days for O/E LHR \<30%; for Right-CDH with O/E LHR \<45% gestational age at enrollment prior to 29 weeks plus 6 days. * Meets psychosocial criteria * Willing to reside within 30 minutes of Children's Mercy Hospital Fetal Health Center and ability to maintain follow up appointments * Patient has a support person (e.g. spouse, partner, friend, or parent) that is available to stay with her for the duration of the pregnancy. * Willing to comply with restrictions of daily living including inability to exercise, have intercourse or return to work. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant persons \< 18 years of age * Multi-fetal pregnancy * Rubber latex allergy * History of preterm labor, cervix shortened (\<15mm at enrollment or within 24 hours of FETO balloon insertion procedure) or uterine anomaly strongly predisposing to preterm labor, placenta previa * Psychosocial ineligibility precluding consent: * Inability to reside within 30 minutes of Children's Mercy Hospital Fetal Health Center until balloon removal or delivery (if clinically indicated) * Patient does not have a support person (e.g., spouse, partner, parent) available to stay with the patient until balloon removal or duration of the pregnancy (if clinically indicated) * Adult unable to consent * Prisoners * Social work or health psychology will meet with each patient to evaluate the social situation and support system. Identifiable issues of social instability or compliance with the protocol will exclude the patient as a potential candidate. * Bilateral CDH, isolated left-sided with O/E LHR ≥30% (measured at 18 weeks 0 days to 29 weeks 5 days) as determined by ultrasound, isolated right-sided CDH with O/E LHR ≥45% (measured at 18 years 0 days to 29 weeks 5 days) as determined by ultrasound. * Additional life-limiting fetal anomaly by ultrasound, MRI or echocardiogram that may affect outcome. These include chromosomal or anatomic abnormalities, associated anomalies recognized to alter survival prognosis (i.e., CDH and severe congenital heart disease) or presence of an underlying genetic syndrome (e.g., Fryns). No cases will be removed post hoc if abnormalities are discovered in the course of post-operative monitoring. * Patient contraindication to fetoscopic surgery or severe medical condition in pregnancy * History of incompetent cervix with or without cerclage * Placental abnormalities (previa, abruption, accreta) known at the time of enrollment * Pregnant person-fetal Rh isoimmunization, Kell sensitization or neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia affecting the current pregnancy * Pregnant person tests positive for HIV, Hepatitis-B, Hepatitis-C. Due to of the increased risk of transmission to the fetus during maternal-fetal surgery the patient must test negative for these conditions prior to enrollment. * Uterine anomaly such as large or multiple fibroids or mullerian duct abnormality * There is no safe or technically feasible fetoscopic approach to balloon placement * Participation in another intervention study that influences maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality or participation in this trial in a previous pregnancy. * Patient refusal to receive blood products * Additional major anomaly or abnormality that would prevent successful FETO, per discretion of the Principal Investigator
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Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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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Children's Mercy Hospital
Kansas City, Missouri, 64108, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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