Womb Stem Cells Reverse Brain Defect in Babies

In a significant medical advancement, stem cell therapy administered during fetal surgery has shown the potential to reverse brain abnormalities associated with spina bifida. The innovative procedure involves applying stem cells derived from donated placentas to the exposed spinal cord of a fetus. This approach goes beyond traditional fetal surgery for spina bifida, which closes the spinal defect but doesn't fully address underlying neurological damage.

A clinical trial in California involved six pregnant women whose babies were diagnosed with myelomeningocele and hindbrain herniation. Following fetal surgery to correct the condition, stem cells were applied to the fetuses' spinal cords. Post-birth assessments, including MRI scans, confirmed the reversal of hindbrain herniation in all six infants, with no signs of complications. Researchers consider this a feasible and safe method for delivering biological therapeutics to the fetus, aiming to improve long-term health outcomes and reduce disability.

This phase one trial, published in The Lancet, establishes a platform for integrating cell-based therapy into fetal surgery. The success of this intervention during gestation holds the potential to significantly alter lifelong health trajectories for individuals with spina bifida. Further follow-up of the children is planned to assess long-term safety and efficacy, with a larger study already underway.