Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise for Treating Spina Bifida in Utero

Preliminary trial finds injecting stem cells during fetal surgery may improve outcomes for children with the birth defect.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Researchers at the University of California, Davis conducted the world's first in-utero trial of stem cell therapy for spina bifida. They found that applying a patch of donor stem cells during prenatal surgery to close the exposed spinal tissue appeared to be safe, with no adverse events in the six children treated. The stem cells may have also helped improve surgical outcomes, including reversing a common complication of spina bifida.

Why it matters

Spina bifida is a debilitating birth defect that can lead to lifelong cognitive, bladder, and mobility issues. Current prenatal surgery to close the exposed spinal tissue has improved outcomes, but many children still experience serious health problems. This stem cell therapy could represent a new frontier in treating birth defects before birth and improving quality of life for those affected.

The details

The Phase I CuRe trial involved six pregnant women whose fetuses were diagnosed with spina bifida between 2021 and 2022. All the fetuses received standard prenatal surgery to repair the spinal defect, but before the surgery was completed, the researchers applied a patch of stem cells derived from donor placentas onto the exposed spinal tissue. There were no signs of complications related to the stem cell therapy, such as tumor growth. MRI scans also showed the newborns experienced a reversal of their hindbrain herniation, a sign the surgery was effective, and none needed a shunt for hydrocephalus before leaving the hospital, a common complication of spina bifida.

  • The trial took place between 2021 and 2022.
  • The findings were published on February 27, 2026.

The players

Diane Farmer

Chair of the UC Davis Department of Surgery and lead author of the study.

University of California, Davis

The institution where the researchers conducted the world's first in-utero trial of stem cell therapy for spina bifida.

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What they’re saying

“Putting stem cells into a growing fetus was a total unknown. We are excited to report great safety.”

— Diane Farmer, Chair of the UC Davis Department of Surgery (UC Davis statement)

What’s next

The researchers will be tracking the long-term outcomes of the original six children treated, and they've already begun to move ahead with a larger Phase I/IIa trial of 35 children.

The takeaway

This preliminary trial suggests that injecting stem cells during fetal surgery for spina bifida could be a safe and potentially effective way to improve outcomes for children born with this debilitating birth defect, paving the way for new prenatal treatment options for other congenital conditions.