The National Institutes of Health Workshop on Fetal Treatment: needs assessment and future directions.

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Office of Rare Diseases convened a multidisciplinary group of experts on August 16-17, 2004, for a workshop entitled ''Fetal Treatment: Needs Assessment and Future Directions.'' The purpose of the workshop was to develop a plan for the surgical, obstetric, neonatal, and maternal-fetal fields for the evaluation and dissemination of maternal-fetal surgical innovations and to further the scientific evaluation of maternal-fetal surgery. This article highlights the discussions and outlines recommendations for the future. An overarching recommendation was for the formation of a cooperative group of investigators and clinicians to help set a national agenda for research and clinical progress, as well as emphasize ethical issues.