Faculty

Mauro H. Schenone, M.D.

Clinical Studies

Maternal-fetal Immune Responses to Fetal Surgery Rochester, Minn.
The purposes of this study are to determine whether maternal T cells are activated and expand after in utero intervention, and to determine whether placental macrophages and histology in the maternal-fetal interface exhibit increased activation and inflammation in surgical cases born preterm (<37 weeks) compared to term.
North American Fetal Therapy Network Fetal Myelomeningocele Repair Registry Rochester, Minn.
The purpose of this study is to form a registry of data on the long term physical and mental health outcomes of the mother and child following fetal surgical repair for spina bifida.
Renal Anhydramnios Fetal Therapy (RAFT) Study (RAFT) Rochester, Minn.
This study aims to determine the proportion of neonates surviving to successful dialysis after serial amnioinfusions (defined as use of a dialysis catheter for > 15 continuous days) and to determine the feasibility of serial amnioinfusions for early pregnancy renal anhydramnios (EPRA). It also aims to perform an exploratory study of the in utero natural history of untreated EPRA and to examine correlations between prenatal ultrasound, echocardiogram, MRI, and lung specific factors in amniotic fluid as predictive biomarkers of the success of RAFT for EPRA. Lastly, the study aims to determine the short term and long-term quality of life of patients and families that undergo RAFT.

Evaluation of Outcomes of Fetal Aortic Valvuloplasty for Evolving Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Rochester, Minn.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of fetal aortic valvuloplasty performed in cases selected using a refined inclusion criteria (use the 2009 criteria) and exclude group/category (Friedman et al. 20182 – see section 3.3). Left ventricle pressure ≤ 47 mmHg, MV dimension Z-score < 0.1 and MV inflow time Z-score < -2). Our hypothesis is that utilizing a refined selection criteria the outcomes can be further improved.

Predicting Placental Pathologies by Ultrasound Imaging of the Human Placenta During Gestation Rochester, Minn.
The purpose of this study is to develop an ultrasound method to identify villitis of unknown etiology (VUE)-induced inflammation in the human placenta during gestation.
Serial Amnioinfusions as Regenerative Therapy for Pulmonary Hypoplasia in Fetuses with Intrauterine Renal Failure or Severe Renal Anomalies– a Feasibility Study Rochester, Minn.
The purpose of the study is to investigate whether amnioinfusion intervention for fetuses diagnosed with intrauterine renal failure will be safe and feasible.