champion steward feature
Diana Farmer, with Aijun Wang (center) and their research team, 2015
curing spina bifida:
fetal pioneer diana farmer leads innovative research, which holds promise of saving lives and lifetimes editorial submitted by champion steward partners at UC Davis Fetal Care + Treatment Center
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In the United States each year, between 1,500 and 2,000 babies are born with spina bifida, the most common cause of lifelong childhood paralysis in the United States. The four types of spina bifida range from mild to severe: occulta, closed neural tube defects, meningocele and myelomeningocele. Spina bifida occurs when the spinal cord improperly forms in utero, leaving a section of neural tube open, exposing tissues and nerves and causing a range of cognitive, mobility, urinary and bowel disabilities. Spina bifida is a lifelong condition involving multiple operations, many hospital stays and, in some cases, lifelong use of a wheelchair. While surgery performed after birth can help reduce severity of the effects, repair before birth is proven to be a more successful option to avoid or decrease problems for diagnosed infants. That's because spinal damage worsens during the course of the pregnancy. One fetal pioneer, Dr. Diana Farmer, who was the first female fetal surgeon in the world, has been on the forefront of spina bifida research for decades. Her mission? To save lives and lifetimes for patients and families affected by spina bifida.
