October 2018
An article in The Independent has reported that two unborn babies have had their spines repaired while they were still in the womb in what is thought to be the first operation of its kind in the UK. Spina bifida is a condition that develops during pregnancy when the bones of the spine do not form properly, creating a gap that leaves the spinal cord unprotected. It can cause a baby’s spinal fluid to leak and put brain development at risk, potentially leading to long-term health and mobility problems.