• Ar
  • Es
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Feature
  • Videos
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Feature
Videos
Infographs
In Pictures
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Europe
  4. Stem cell surgery to treat spina bifida in the womb
Europe

Stem cell surgery to treat spina bifida in the womb

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 8 Oct 2022 22:46

Research on stem cells continues to advance knowledge about how healthy cells replace damaged cells in human tissues.

  • Stem cell surgery cures babies of spina bifida while still in the womb
    Robbie is one of the babies on which the procedure was successfully performed.

BBC reported on Saturday that stem cell surgery was performed by US doctors on fetuses who presented with signs of spina bifida, a defect in the spine that can sometimes lead to lifelong issues.

Three of the fetuses are now born with healthy spines thanks to the therapeutic stem cell patch method. The team of experts from UC Davis Health said they will monitor their growth for the next six years.

Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually visible at birth when the spinal cord doesn't form properly. The neural tube defect (NTD) can appear anywhere on the spine and can cause severe mobility issues, including total paralysis of the legs.

To close the gap, surgeons developed a way to mend the gap by fitting a graft or implant in the exposed tubal area using a patch that contains immature cells, or stem cells, to grow new healthy human tissue.

Experts say they have previously attempted the trials with successful results on a lamb and a pair of English bulldog puppies.

Robby is among the first humans to be born with healthy spines thanks to this procedure, and the mom, Emily, said it was not an option to refuse the treatment.

"We didn't know about spina bifida until the diagnosis. We are so thankful that we got to be a part of this. We are giving our daughter the very best chance at a bright future," said Emily.

Recalling the moment Robbie was born in 2020, Emily says, "One of my first fears was that I wouldn't be able to see her, but they brought her over to me. I got to see her toes wiggle for the first time. It was so reassuring and a little bit out of this world."

The team of experts said it plans to treat another 35 babies to assess how well the treatment works, with regular check-ups along the way to monitor their progress. 

One of the experts, Prof Paolo De Coppi, a pediatric surgeon at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK, said the use of stem cell patches might enhance results even further. "That's the hope, but we need to wait and see," he told BBC.

While the causes of spina bifida remain unknown, some deficiencies, such as not having enough folic acid, are argued to increase the risk of a baby developing the condition.

Prof Neena Modi, an expert in neonatal medicine at Imperial College London in the UK, stressed the importance of taking supplements at the time of conception and during pregnancy in order to prevent cases of spina bifida.

Read more: Scientists Grew Mini-Brains... then the Brains Grew Mini-Eyes

  • Stem cells
  • spinal defects

Trending Now

All
A logo is pictured outside a building of the World Health Organization (WHO) during an executive board meeting on update on the coronavirus outbreak, in Geneva, Switzerland, February 6, 2020. (Reuters)

Tuberculosis deaths on the rise in Europe, WHO warns

Nurses protest outside St Thomas’ Hospital, many of whom just finished their night shift. (RCN)

Up to 100,000 UK nurses stage unprecedented walk out

Most Read

US dollar may lose status as global reserve currency: Yellen

US dollar may lose status as global reserve currency: Yellen

  • US & Canada
  • 22 Mar
Rallies held in Washington DC to protest US militarism

Peace rallies held in Washington DC to protest US militarism

  • US & Canada
  • 18 Mar
Iran–Saudi Deal: Not a Diplomatic Normalisation, But An ‘Architecture’

Iran–Saudi Deal: Not a Diplomatic Normalisation, But An ‘Architecture’

  • Analysis
  • 19 Mar
Poland

Poland may end up 'joining' Ukraine war: Polish Ambassador to France

  • Europe
  • 20 Mar

Read this

All
'Israel' heading to dangerous place: Shin Bet head to Netanyahu
Palestine

'Israel' heading to dangerous place: Shin Bet head to Netanyahu

  • Today
The Los Angeles Police Department headquarters building is seen downtown Los Angeles, Friday, July 8, 2022  (AP)
US & Canada

Investigation launched after undercover LAPD officers info exposed

  • Today
In this Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018, file photo, a father gives water to his malnourished daughter at a feeding center in a hospital in Al Hudaydah, Yemen. (AP)
MENA

Yemeni children lives at stake by aid funding shortfall: UNICEF

  • Today
An asteroid estimated to be 40-90 metres in diameter will pass between Earth and the moon on Saturday US time. Photograph: Nasa (AFP)
Miscellaneous

'City killer' asteroid to pass harmlessly between Earth, moon's orbit

  • Today
Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS