Aimen F. Shaaban, MD

Dr. Shaaban is a pediatric surgeon and a leading expert in the area of surgical fetal intervention. He is Director of The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health, one of only a very few comprehensive fetal care centers in the country. With a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional construct, The Chicago Institute provides a complete spectrum of care for the fetus and mother ranging from prevention of disease to in utero fetal surgery.

Dr. Shaaban has been studying and practicing fetal surgery for over 20 years.

He has lectured nationally and internationally and is among the most well-respected fetal intervention surgeons in the world. His clinical research contributions surround the diagnosis and treatment of congenital diseases such as spina bifida, congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT), congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM), gastroschisis, omphalocele, twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), and fetal bladder outlet obstruction (BOO).  

He has published extensively in these areas and receives support for his basic science research program from the National Institutes of Health.

Clinical and Research Expertise

Fetal Health Conditions

• Twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS)
• Myelomeningocele (MMC), or open spina bifida
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)
• Fetal teratomas and other masses or tumors
• Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM/CCAM)
• Bronchial atresia
• Twin-reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence
• Selective growth restriction in a twin pregnancy
• Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO)
• Congenital heart defects
• Amniotic band syndrome
• Fetal chylothorax
• Fetal lymphatic malformations
• Abdominal wall defects
• Esophageal or intestinal atresias
• Congenital airway obstruction

General Pediatric Conditions

• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
• CPAM (congenital pulmonary airway malformation)
• Extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
• Sacrococcygeal teratoma (SCT)
• Abdominal wall defects—gastroschisis and omphalocele
• Hirschsprung’s disease
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Hernia (umbilical, inguinal)
• Intussusception (intestinal obstruction, intestinal telescoping)
• Pediatric trauma

Procedures Performed

Fetal Health Procedures