Ciarlo's Spina Bifida Story: Look at Him Now

Kira was 19 weeks pregnant when she and her husband, Ken, learned that their son, Ciarlo, had spina bifida. For more: http://fetalsurgery.chop.edu.

Spina bifida is a birth defect in which the spinal column doesn’t close completely during development, leaving the spinal cord and surrounding nerves exposed through a hole in the back. The exposure to amniotic fluid in the womb causes progressive damage to the spine which can lead to a variety of issues, including bladder and bowel problems, club feet, paralysis, and weakness or loss of feeling below the location of the opening.

Kira and Ken were shocked. Their obstetrician told them right away to go to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), which has extensive experience with prenatal diagnosis and treatment of spina bifida, including fetal surgery, as well as a specialized Spina Bifida Program.

A C-section delivery was planned in CHOP’s Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit (SDU). The SDU is the first birthing unit located within a children’s hospital designed for healthy mothers carrying babies with known birth defects who will require immediate care after delivery. A day after he was born, Ciarlo had surgery to repair the hole in his spine.

Today, Ciarlo is an intelligent, friendly preschooler who continues to be followed by CHOP’s Spina Bifida Program, where a multidisciplinary team, including pediatric urologists, neurosurgeons and orthopedic specialists, works together to provide the care he needs.