In an unprecedented medical occurrence, a baby in France suffering from a rare vascular tumor was treated intrapartum for the first time globally, according to its medical team. The tumor, identified as Kassabach-Merritt syndrome, was detected near the end of the seventh month of pregnancy at a gynecology clinic in Mulhouse, eastern France. With the lump located near the neck, there was a significant risk that it could obstruct the airway and result in the baby's death prior to delivery, explained Dr. Chris Minella from the Prenatal Diagnosis Center of the University Hospitals of Strasbourg during a press conference at the 'Woman-Mother-Child' hospital in Mulhouse. The tumor was rapidly growing and had nearly covered the child's facial base.

After the diagnosis, the Reference Center for Vascular Epidermal Anomalies from the Public Hospitals of Lyon, which specializes in rare diseases, recommended administering an anti-angiogenic agent to the fetus before birth to counteract the effects of the rapidly growing tumor. This innovative approach indicates a significant step forward in prenatal care, showcasing the potential of intrauterine procedures to address conditions that were previously deemed non-treatable before birth. The medical community remains optimistic, as the successful procedure not only provides hope for the child but also sets a precedent for treating similar cases in the future, therefore potentially transforming the outcomes for infants diagnosed with high-risk conditions during pregnancy.