spina bifida Content

‘Unfold’: Stem Cells and Surgery Used in Spina Bifida Trial for Humans

Dave Jones — October 11, 2022 - 1:15pm

Both humans and dogs are susceptible to spina bifida, a spinal birth defect that can lead to paralysis. In Part 2 of our new season of Unfold, we examine the first human clinical trial using stem cells and surgery to treat the condition.

You’ll meet one of the couples taking part in the clinical trial. They dropped everything and moved from Oregon to Sacramento in the hope that the stem cell and fetal surgery treatment would allow their child to walk.

Hear their extraordinary journey here:

‘Unfold’ Podcast Launches Season 4 Focused on Health

Amy M Quinton — October 04, 2022 - 11:00am

Unfold, a 51�ԹϺ�� Davis podcast, launches its fourth season. Its first episode focuses on treating spina bifida in bulldogs.

THE DOWNLOAD: Fetal Surgery, Alumna Spotlight, Miss Idaho

Cody Kitaura — February 26, 2019 - 11:55am

Estella Mendoza of Dixon was 15 weeks pregnant in September 2016 when a routine blood test and an ultrasound examination detected a serious abnormality: Her fetus had myelomeningocele, a form of spina bifida.

Later that year, Mendoza's baby, Alexander, became the first patient at 51�ԹϺ�� Davis Children's Hospital to undergo potentially life-changing open-fetal surgery for spina bifida.

Stem Cell Treatment for Children With Spina Bifida Helps Dogs First

Katherine E Kerlin — August 24, 2017 - 11:01am

A pair of English bulldog puppies are the first patients to be successfully treated with a unique therapy — a combination of surgery and stem cells — developed at the University of California, Davis, to help preserve lower-limb function in children with spina bifida.

(Editor’s note: Photos and b-roll available.)