Surgery before birth may ease spina bifida damage

NCT ID NCT01983345

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested a surgery performed before birth to repair a spinal defect called myelomeningocele, a severe form of spina bifida. The goal was to see if fixing the spine in the womb could reduce brain problems and nerve damage after birth. 38 pregnant women carrying fetuses with this condition took part. The surgery aims to lower the risk of fluid buildup in the brain and improve leg movement.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance
prenatal surgical repair of fetal myelomeningocele
What this could lead to
If successful, this surgery could reduce the need for shunts and improve leg function in children born with spina bifida.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-phase study with no control group, so results may not apply widely. Surgery carries risks for both mother and fetus, including preterm labor.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Hopital Armand Trousseau, APHP

    Paris, PARIS, 75012, France