M’sia’s first in-utero spine surgery baby thrives with strong, active legs at four months

Dr Dzulkefly (third right) in a photo with the multidisciplinary team behind the historic in-utero (prenatal) Spina Bifida repair surgery at SGH on April 17, 2026.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, April 17: A baby girl who underwent a pioneering surgery to repair her spine while still in her mother’s womb is now growing well, with strong and active legs, marking a major medical breakthrough in Malaysia.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad shared uplifting update following his visit to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) today, where the historic procedure was performed.

The baby, now four months old, had undergone Malaysia’s first in-utero (prenatal) surgery to treat Spina Bifida at 26 weeks of gestation in September 2025.

“Clinical assessments show that she is able to breathe, swallow, and pass urine normally, and remarkably, did not require a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt after birth,” he said in a post shared on his social media.

Spina Bifida is a congenital condition in which the spinal column does not close completely, potentially leading to paralysis, bladder dysfunction, and hydrocephalus, or excess fluid in the brain.

Dr Dzulkefly said the successful procedure represents a significant leap in the country’s specialised surgical capabilities, as it allowed doctors to intervene early to protect the baby’s spinal cord and reduce the risk of severe complications.

During the visit, he met the multidisciplinary team behind the historic procedure, comprising maternal fetal medicine specialist Dr Tan Lee Na, anaesthesiologist Dr Teo Shu Ching, neonatologist Dr Amita Vivehanantham, and neurosurgeon Dr Low Peh Hueh.

He emphasised that the achievement underscores the strength of collaboration among local medical experts across various disciplines, enabling advanced prenatal interventions previously unavailable in Malaysia.

“This success demonstrates how high-level prenatal treatment can dramatically transform a child’s quality of life,” he said, adding that it offers renewed hope and reassurance to families facing similar diagnoses. — DayakDaily