Source: Baby with spina bifida has promising future after fetal surgery with stem cells, UC Davis Health, 27 Jan 2025. Summary written by Future Health GCC.

What happened

UC Davis Health in California has shared the story of Nixon, a baby boy who had surgery for spina bifida before he was born, as part of a clinical trial that combines fetal surgery with stem cells.

The condition

Spina bifida (myelomeningocele) happens when the spine does not close properly early in pregnancy. It can lead to lifelong problems with movement, learning, and bladder and bowel control, and affects 1,500 to 2,000 babies in the United States each year. Nixon had the most severe form.

What the trial involves

The CuRe trial is the world’s first treatment for spina bifida that combines fetal surgery with stem cells. While the baby is still in the womb, surgeons repair the opening in the spine and place a special stem cell patch on the spinal cord. The surgery has to happen before 25 weeks of pregnancy. Nixon’s mother, Lindsey, was the sixth patient in the trial, and her surgery took place in December 2023.

How Nixon is doing

Nixon was born at 34 weeks. At one year old he is taking steps with help, playing and cruising around the furniture. He has regular follow-up appointments as part of the trial but has not needed any other treatment.

How far along it is

This is one child’s story from an ongoing trial. The full results, from all the babies treated, are needed before doctors know how well the approach works.

What it means for families

It is an early glimpse of how stem cells might one day help babies with serious conditions even before birth. The treatment is only available within the trial.

Read the original article on UC Davis Health →

This is a summary of published research, written by Future Health GCC. It is not medical advice. Speak to your doctor about any treatment.

Photo: Havelbaude, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).