Texas Children's Hospital

Every first step puts us miles ahead of spina bifida.

We’re here to help parents and children through every step of their journey. That’s why Dr. Michael Belfort and Dr. William Whitehead developed, tested, and proved the fetoscopic spina bifida surgery. This revolutionary procedure reduces developmental issues and drastically improves the chances a child will walk. Because the only way we move forward is by ensuring more first steps.

LEARN HOW MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Every first step puts us miles ahead of spina bifida.

The two-port fetoscopic method was developed to allow for surgery earlier in the pregnancy while reducing risks to the mother found in the open uterus approach. Our revolutionary procedure externalizes the uterus and places just two 4 millimeter ports into the amniotic cavity. Throughout the course of the surgery, we remove most of the amniotic fluid and fill the uterus with carbon dioxide gas, allowing us to visualize the baby via a small camera inserted through one of the ports.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Better outcomes started here

From the Canezaro family to the Camp’s — every smiling face is a gleaming example of our life-changing care.

Minimizing the effects of spina bifida for mothers and babies

Spina bifida occurs when the spine doesn’t close properly during fetal development, causing children to experience a range of physical and mental difficulties. Hospitals around the world treat it using the open-procedure which requires a 7 to 10 centimeter opening made in the uterus, with life-altering risks still present.

This surgery improves outcomes for children and mothers in a number of ways:

Increased chances
of walking

Treating spina bifida earlier in the process means we can drastically increase the chances that a child will be able to walk.

Minimizing
developmental issues

Performing the surgery in-utero minimizes dangerous fluid buildup on the brain and the developmental issues that can result.

Reduced spinal cord
deterioration

As long as the neural tube defect is left untreated, it’s at risk of deterioration. We perform the two-port fetoscopic method as early as possible to allow more time for vital development.

Carry your child
full-term

Of the 100 mothers who have received our procedure, most have delivered their child full-term, with about 50% having a vaginal delivery.

This surgery improves outcomes for children and mothers in a number of ways:

Increased chances of walking

Treating spina bifida earlier in the process means we can drastically increase the chances that a child will be able to walk.

Minimizingdevelopmental issues

Performing the surgery in-utero minimizes dangerous fluid buildup on the brain and the developmental issues that can result.

Reduced spinal cord deterioration

As long as the neural tube defect is left untreated, it’s at risk of deterioration. We perform the two-port fetoscopic method as early as possible to allow more time for vital development.

Carry your child full-term

Of the 100 mothers who have received our procedure, most have delivered their child full-term, with about 50% having a vaginal delivery.

Leading the nation in specialized fetal care

There’s a reason why we’re a national leader in specialized unborn and newborn care — because we know that every family’s journey is unique. It’s why we invented the fetoscopic spina bifida surgery. But our focus doesn't stop there. We cover the full spectrum of fetal therapies, helping guide families from diagnosis to delivery and on through childhood. Our dedicated team of maternal-fetal medicine specialists, fetal surgeons, neonatologists, pediatric specialists and more take a unified approach to ensure the best possible outcome for mother and child. Here, every family receives expert care every step of the way.

Every first step puts us miles ahead of spina bifida.

Every first step puts us miles ahead of spina bifida.

Better outcomes started here

Minimizing the effects of spina bifida for mothers and babies

This surgery improves outcomes for children and mothers in a number of ways:

This surgery improves outcomes for children and mothers in a number of ways:

Leading the nation in specialized fetal care

Delivering hope worldwide

Refer your patient