For the first time, a team of surgeons has used stem cells to repair the spinal cord of fetuses inside the womb. The goal is to treat spina bifida, a defect that causes paralysis and bladder problems. Traditional fetal surgery does not repair the nerve damage that has already occurred. Now, Dr. Diana Farmer has applied a stem cell patch to six fetuses, according to a study in The Lancet.
A biological patch for a complex defect 🧬
The procedure was performed during gestation, when the fetal spinal cord is still exposed. The surgeons placed a stem cell patch directly over the lesion. The results indicate the method is safe: no infections, tumors, or healing problems were detected. Although the study is small, it opens a path to intervene before birth and mitigate the severe neurological damage caused by this condition.
Science advances, but the diaper is still mandatory 😅
Stem cells repairing spinal cords sounds like science fiction, but the fetuses can't celebrate with a beer just yet. The doctors are happy because there were no tumors or infections, which is basically the minimum standard for any surgery. The next step will be to see if these children walk better or only avoid the diaper becoming a permanent accessory. Medicine advances, but so does the patience of parents.