Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Hits 500th Prenatal Spina Bifida Repair

Spina bifida affects approximately 1 in 2,000 births in the United States. In its most severe form, the condition leaves the spinal cord and nerves exposed to amniotic fluid, causing permanent damage. Since pioneering the surgical technique in 1998, CHOP has transformed the standard of care. The hospital’s leadership in the NIH-funded MOMS trial confirmed that in-utero correction significantly reduces the need for brain shunts and improves mobility compared to traditional postnatal surgery.

Dr. N. Scott Adzick, co-director of the Center, noted that the milestone reflects decades of research and clinical dedication. The procedure involves a specialized team of fetal and neurosurgeons who operate on the fetus while still in the uterus to seal the defect. While not a cure, the intervention mitigates the long-term impact of the condition. Beyond this specific surgery, the center has managed over 2,700 total fetal procedures since 1995, drawing families from all 50 states and more than 70 countries to its specialized Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit.