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Before Luke Vela was even born, his older brother nicknamed him Tuff because of the many challenges he’d already overcome. At 18 weeks gestation, Luke was diagnosed with a fetal congenital lower urinary tract obstruction (LUTO), that was so severe his bladder took up the entire uterine cavity. It pressed against his heart, causing cardiac distress and decreasing amniotic fluid to a dangerously low level. The Velas were referred to Texas Children’s Fetal Center®, located within Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women in Houston, Texas, and part of Texas Children’s Hospital, one of the nation’s largest children’s hospitals. Texas Children’s Fetal Center is a national leader in LUTO interventions, including vesicoamniotic shunts, a delicate and complex procedure whereby a surgeon connects a catheter from the fetal bladder to the amniotic cavity to bypass the bladder outlet obstruction.
extraordinary care meets extraordinary results in the lone star state editorial submitted by friend steward partners at Texas Children's Fetal Center 34
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“When we were first told about Luke’s condition, it felt like being hit by a bus,” Luke’s father Josh Vela said. “As soon as we met with the surgeons at Texas Children’s Fetal Center, there was a newfound hope in us. I remember that within minutes of making the decision to do the surgery, we had every expert you can think of, urology, nephrology, cardiology, coming in and talking to us about what to expect.” A unique and distinct advantage for all mothers delivering at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women is its location inside of one of the largest and most renowned children’s hospitals in the world. This means no risk of transfer during critical postnatal periods – if a baby unexpectedly needs a surgery or the highest level of NICU care, they’re already in the best place to receive the best care. And for Texas Children’s Fetal Center patients, it means that the full range of pediatric experts responsible for treating a child after birth are an important part of the care team prior to birth as well.
