Objective: This article describes the experience in the planning and development of a special delivery unit (SDU) at our free-standing children's hospital in Austin, Texas.
Study design: Description of various aspects of the development of the SDU. In addition, telephone surveys were obtained from five other institutions regarding the planning and current status of their SDUs.
Results: Since the advent of the SDU at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 2008, several free-standing children's hospitals have opened similar units at their institutions. Developing an obstetrical unit in a children's hospital can be a daunting task on many fronts. The costs of providing 24-hour obstetrical, nursing, and anesthesiology coverage must be considered. Although most SDUs are associated with a fetal center and fetal surgery/interventions, some units function exclusively for the delivery of pregnancies complicated by major fetal conditions where the neonate will require immediate surgical care or other interventions.
Conclusion: Research on the cost-effectiveness and the effect of SDUs on clinical outcome, teaching, and patient satisfaction is warranted.
Key points: · Specialized delivery units are becoming more common at free-standing children's hospitals.. · The primary aim of the SDU is to maintain mother-baby continuity in cases of congenital anomalies.. · Developing an obstetrical unit at a pediatric hospital is a daunting task..
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