The landmark clinical trial CuRe Trial: Cellular Therapy for In Utero Repair of Myelomeningocele is underway at UC Davis Health. The world’s first spina bifida treatment combining fetal surgery with stem cells could change the life of a baby with spina bifida, who could otherwise be paralyzed from the waist down.
Christian was the 14th patient to undergo fetal surgery for myelomeningocele, a severe form of spina bifida, at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He is now a tall, handsome 24-year-old who recently passed his national certification to become an emergency medical technician (EMT).
Oregon couple traveled to California for in-utero surgery at nearly 26 weeks gestation to repair the baby’s spina bifida defect. During the operation, doctors placed a stem cell patch on the baby’s small spine. The results are making waves around the world.
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The Badenhop family wasn’t expecting news of spina bifida and were scared and uncertain about their baby’s future. But Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s expert team offered hope — and a successful outcome for baby Lexi.
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A young mom is faced with life or death decisions soon after learning her son’s diagnosis of spina bifida and hydrocephalus. She tells us her heartwarming story.
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Researchers at UC Davis Health are continuing to Phase 2 of a clinical trial for in utero surgery that uses stem cells to repair spina bifida defect, offering potential better outcomes.
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Zane and Zeke are happy and thriving today after experiencing impossibly long odds of developing the same congenital heart defect. The exceptional care teams at Children’s Hospital Colorado provided cutting edge expertise and unwavering support for the entire family throughout both boys’ fight to survive.
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University of California at San Francisco Hydrops Center of Excellence leads the way in Hydrops research. Funding from Brianna Marie and Fetal Health Foundations helps experts continue to deliver the latest in-utero treatments.
~ 5 Min Read ~ “I’m always amazed when I see these babies at birth, and we put the bowel in a silo how we’re able to get that bowel back into the tummy in such a short period of time,” said Paul Wales, MD, surgical director for the Intestinal Rehabilitation Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.
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Dear Lonnie,
I wanted to thank you for being with me… those were very difficult moments. My heart is as big as a house. I wish you much success & health in the new year. I am sending a picture of my perfect son.
~ 6 minute read ~ This sacrococcygeal teratoma article appeared in the spring 2024 edition of Connexions, a magazine for the Fetal Health Community Rural Colorado couple Lyndsy and her husband, Aaron, found out they were expecting their third child, Ella, in November...
When Katarina’s unborn baby was diagnosed with myelomeningocele (MMC), “It was kind of a shock, but my doctor said the best bet was fetal surgery. He referred me to Colorado right away, and he said we needed to do it as soon as possible,” she says. “That just kind of threw me for a whirlwind, and I have other kids to take care of too. It was a lot to process.”