ABOUT SPINA BIFIDA: Spina bifida is a disorder described by the incomplete closing of the embryonic neural tube, where some vertebrae of the spine do not fully form and thus remain unconnected and open. The disorder can even expose a portion of the spinal cord through the bones. Though the opening can be closed after birth, it does not necessarily restore normal function to the affected part of the spinal cord. Experts find that the occurrence of Spina bifida can be reduced by up to 70 percent when daily folic acid supplements are administered during pregnancy.
ANOTHER LIFE-SAVING PRENATAL SURGERY: Maternal fetal medicine specialists performed a special surgery in order to save unborn identical triplets from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), a life-threatening complication that can occur when babies share a placenta. Babies suffering from TTTS have connected blood vessels, which causes one baby to have too much blood and another too little. To save the triplets, doctors inserted a tiny scope into the surface of the placenta. A camera on the scope let surgeons see the babies and the network of blood vessels. Doctors then used a laser beam to seal off any shared vessels.