Spina Bifida Medical Animation | Cincinnati Fetal Center
The Cincinnati Fetal Center is one of only a few comprehensive fetal care centers in the world. Led by physicians from Cincinnati Children’s, Good Samaritan Hospital and University of Cincinnati Medical Center, the team specializes in treating complex and rare fetal conditions.
Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the bones in a baby’s spine do not fully form during early pregnancy. This results in an opening on the back, usually in the mid- to lower back.
Myelomeningocele, a type of “open spina bifida,” is the most serious form of the disease. In myelomeningocele, a portion of the baby’s spinal cord and surrounding nerves protrude through an opening in the spine into an exposed, flat disc or sac that is visible on the back. This exposes the baby’s spinal cord to the amniotic fluid in the mother’s womb and can be harmful to the baby’s fetal development. Myelomeningocele is the only type of spina bifida that exposes the baby’s spinal cord to amniotic fluid.
Fetal surgery for myelomeningocele can offer significant benefits to the baby, but it also carries serious risks and potential complications. Our team provides extensive testing and counseling to ensure that patients meet the criteria for fetal myelomeningocele surgery and have all the information they need to make an informed decision about whether to undergo the procedure. Our surgeons have considerable experience in performing this delicate operation. Patients also benefit from exceptional follow-up care before and after the baby is born.