- Experts suggest that stem cell therapy performed on babies in the womb could reverse brain abnormalities linked to spina bifida, a severe birth defect where the spine does not develop fully.
- During foetal surgery, surgeons applied stem cells, derived from donated placentas, directly to the exposed spinal cord of the foetus.
- A trial in California involved six women, 24-25 weeks pregnant, whose babies had been diagnosed with myelomeningocele and hindbrain herniation, a brain abnormality associated with spina bifida.
- All six babies were born with intact spinal repairs, no signs of infection and MRI scans confirmed that the hindbrain herniation had been reversed after birth.
- Researchers are optimistic that the procedure could alter the lifelong health of those with the condition, and the findings have allowed for a new study with 35 patients.
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