ABSTRACT
This chapter attempts to summarize the current achievements up to the middle of 1988 in the areas of fetal therapy, but also the problems which have been recognized during this time as well as some ethical and legal aspects of fetal therapy. The first prerequisite prior to fetal therapy is an accurate diagnosis of the congenital abnormalities of the fetus, which must be based on a clear understanding of the pathophysiology and natural history of the disorder. Unfortunately, sonography alone cannot determine whether severe fetal renal dysplasia is present, which would indicate that this particular fetus could not benefit from a drainage procedure, and, therefore, other criteria are required to select appropriate candidates for in utero therapy. A key legal issue that is not resolved yet is whether a mother can refuse an established prenatal therapy to protect her own bodily integrity.
