Experimental therapy of applying stem cells during surgery could be ‘major milestone’ in treatment of birth defects
Giving stem cells to unborn babies diagnosed with spina bifida while they have in utero surgery could be “a major milestone” in the treatment of birth defects, doctors say.
A trial in the US found that applying stem cells from the mother’s placenta to her baby’s spine while it was being repaired was safe and improved the child’s mobility and quality of life.
Dr Diana Farmer, who led the study, said it was “conceivable” that the experimental therapy could become the usual way that spina bifida is treated before babies are born.
“If it makes more children able to walk who wouldn’t have then it would become their standard of care,” she said. “The results are super exciting and pave the way for lots of potential new treatments for spina bifida and other birth defects.”
