World’s first stem cell treatment for spina bifida delivered during fetal surgery Groundbreaking trial aims to reverse the paralysis and other abnormal functions of spina bifida before birth Download the media kit, which contains still photos, interviews and B-roll video, at https://ucdavis.health/mediakit Three babies have been born after receiving the world’s first spina bifida treatment combining surgery with stem cells.The one-of-a-kind treatment, delivered while a fetus is still developing in the mother’s womb, could improve outcomes for children with this birth defect.Launched in the spring of 2021, the clinical trial is known formally as the “CuRe Trial: Cellular Therapy for In Utero Repair of Myelomeningocele.” Thirty-five patients will be treated in total.We are giving our daughter the very best chance at a bright future.” Spina bifida, also known as myelomeningocele, occurs when spinal tissue fails to fuse properly during the early stages of pregnancy.Farmer recruited bioengineer Aijun Wang specifically to help take that work to the next level."