In World’s First, US Doctors Perform Brain Surgery On Baby Still In Womb
First Published: 5th May, 2023 16:02 IST
A baby in the womb with the rare vein of Galen malformation disease was saved in a first-of-its-kind brain surgery
A team of American doctors has performed groundbreaking brain surgery on a baby who is still in the womb to treat a rare blood vessel abnormality inside the brain, according to CNN.
This rare brain condition is known as “Venus of Galen malformation,” and the operation was conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Boston Children’s Hospital.
The condition occurs when the blood vessel that carries blood from the brain to the heart doesn’t develop correctly. The malformation results in an overwhelming amount of blood stressing the veins and heart and can lead to a cascade of health problems, reported the news outlet.
“Tremendous brain injuries and immediate heart failure after birth are the two big challenges,” Dr. Darren Orbach, a radiologist at Boston Children’s Hospital and expert in treating VOGM, told CNN.
Giving the details of the complication, he said that typically, infants are treated after they’re born using a catheter to insert tiny coils to slow down blood flow. However, the treatment often happens too late.
“Despite advancements in care, “50 to 60 percent of all babies with this condition will get very sick immediately. And for those, it looks like there’s about a 40 percent mortality rate. About half of infants that survive experience severe neurological and cognitive issues,” Orbach said.
According to CBS News, Baby Denver was growing normally inside her mom when, on a routine ultrasound, doctors discovered she had this rare blood vessel abnormality inside the brain. Many babies with this condition develop heart failure or brain damage and often don’t survive. In fact, Denver’s heart was struggling, and the malformation was getting dangerously large.
So, at 34 weeks of pregnancy, a team at Boston Children’s and the Brigham were able to repair her malformation while she was still in the uterus, using ultrasound guidance, a needle similar to those used for amniocentesis, and tiny coils that were placed directly into the abnormal blood vessels to stop blood flow.
What is a vein of Galen malformation?
According to Boston Children’s Hospital, a vein of Galen malformation (VOGM) is a type of rare blood vessel abnormality inside the brain. In VOGM, misshapen arteries in the brain connect directly with veins instead of connecting with capillaries, which helps slow blood flow. This causes a rush of high-pressure blood into the veins. This extra pressure in the veins can cause a number of problems.
Also Read: 20,000 Years Old Pendant Found. DNA Shows Who Wore It
COMMENTS
![](assets/images/article/fb.jpg)
TOPMOST STORY NOW
![Banner](https://northeastlive.s3.amazonaws.com/media/uploads/2024/09/cvr-1.jpg)
Live Assam: Bangladeshi National Arrested After 12 Years of Living Illegally in State
10th September 2024![Banner](https://northeastlive.s3.amazonaws.com/media/uploads/2024/09/lipikar-meghalaya.jpg)
Live Meghalaya Taxi Association’s Black Flag Protest, To Restrict Assam Cabs from Taking Tourists to Tourist Spots
10th September 2024![Banner](https://northeastlive.s3.amazonaws.com/media/uploads/2024/09/naga-lipika.jpg)
Live Nagaland Govt to hold consultative meeting over Naga political issue with all tribal bodies on Sept 12
10th September 2024![Banner](https://img.youtube.com/vi/mth1uVwublM/mqdefault.jpg)
Live Meghalata Taxi Association’s Black Flag Protest
10th September 2024WE RECOMMEND
![Banner](https://northeastlive.s3.amazonaws.com/media/uploads/2024/09/paris-cover.png)
From French musicians to Grammy winner Anderson Paak, a look at everything that lit up Paris Paralympics closing ceremony
The Indian contingent concluded its historic Paris Paralympics campaign with a total of 29 medals
09th September 2024![Banner](https://northeastlive.s3.amazonaws.com/media/uploads/2024/09/kamala-cvr.png)
“Their fight for better future live on in me”: Kamala Harris pens heartfelt note on Grandparents’ Day
If elected president, the 59-year-old Harris would become the first woman in history to become the US president
09th September 2024![Banner](https://northeastlive.s3.amazonaws.com/media/uploads/2024/09/u-cvr.png)
Nacho Nacho’: Asian-American leader Ajay Bhutoria launches Bollywood campaign song to power Kamala Harris’ campaign
Bhutoria underscored that Vice President Kamala Harris represents a "brighter future" for Indian-Americans.
09th September 2024![Banner](https://northeastlive.s3.amazonaws.com/media/uploads/2024/09/GW6_horWkAAENZ8.png)
Elon Musk announces SpaceX to launch first Starships to Mars in two years
Musk stated that SpaceX created the first fully reusable rocket stage and made the reuse economically viable.
08th September 2024![Banner](https://northeastlive.s3.amazonaws.com/media/uploads/2024/09/nasa.png)
Boeing’s Starliner on its way back to Earth without NASA astronauts Sunita Willams, Barry Wilmore
Boeing on Saturday morning said that the deorbit poll of the empty Starliner spacecraft has been completed
07th September 2024