L’ESSENTIEL
- According to a new study, combining stem cell therapy with standard fetal surgery before birth shows promise as a safe and effective treatment for Spina Bifida.
- Six babies have already been treated using this method.
- This research could pave the way for new treatments for spina bifida and other congenital malformations.
A groundbreaking advancement in the treatment of spina bifida, a birth defect affecting the spinal cord, is offering new hope for families. The condition can lead to partial or complete paralysis of the legs due to nerve damage.
Researchers have successfully treated fetuses with the most severe form of the condition by administering stem cells during an in-utero surgical procedure designed to repair the spinal column. Their findings were presented in The Lancet on February 28, 2026.
Spina Bifida: 6 Babies Treated with the New Treatment
Currently, parents whose unborn child is diagnosed with spina bifida are offered fetal surgery during pregnancy to close the opening in the spine. While this surgery can reduce some complications, it doesn’t prevent all neurological problems. Researchers in the United States explored the possibility of applying stem cells – known to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and protect nerve tissue – to the fetal spine during surgery.
The stem cells used in the treatment were sourced from the mothers’ placentas. Six babies diagnosed with myelomeningocele, the most severe form of spina bifida, received the new therapy during fetal surgery. The children were born between July 2021 and December 2022, and the spinal repairs were effective. Importantly, none of the infants showed signs of infection. Researchers also found no evidence of abnormal tissue growth or tumor formation. “MRI scans after birth confirmed that brain abnormalities associated with spina bifida, called posterior brain herniation, were reversed in all cases,” researchers stated in their release.
the infants experienced no serious adverse effects linked to the stem cell therapy. The children continue to be regularly evaluated by doctors, with follow-up planned until they reach six years of age to assess the long-term impact of the therapy on their mobility, health, and quality of life.
A Promising Therapy for Spina Bifida and Other Congenital Malformations
Dr. Diana Farmer, who led the study, told the BBC that it is “conceivable” that this experimental therapy could become the standard way to treat spina bifida before birth.
“If this allows more children to walk who wouldn’t have otherwise, it would become their standard of care,” she explained. “The results are super exciting and open the door to many new potential treatments for spina bifida and other congenital malformations.”
Larger, long-term clinical trials are underway to further refine surgical techniques and treatment protocols. This research offers a significant step forward in addressing a challenging condition and improving outcomes for affected children and their families.
