Surgeons correct spina bifida in womb

American surgeons say they have corrected spina bifida in a 23-week old fetus in the womb, allowing the baby to be born with normal leg move-ments.

In a letter published in The Lancet medical journal on Friday, doctors from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania said repairing the condition early can prevent nerve damage."This case shows that early gestation fetal surgical repair of severe spina bifida can save neur-o-log-i-cal function," said Dr. Scott Adzick.

Spina bifida affects one in 2,000 live births. Because of a lack of bone and skin over the spine, the nerves of the spinal cord are exposed and can be damaged. Many children born with the condition are paraplegic and also suffer from hydrocephalus, or fluid on the brain.

But studies on sheep showed that if the condition is detected early and corrected in the womb before the nerves have been damaged, the function of the legs can be saved.

Adzick and his colleagues said an ultrasound scan and the mother's abnormal blood test alerted them to the problem when she was 20 weeks pregnant.