Kuala lumpur: A baby who underwent in-utero fetal surgery to repair spina bifida at Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) here in September last year is now in good condition.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad reported that the four-month-old infant is growing well, with clinical assessments indicating the baby is able to breathe, swallow, and pass urine and stool normally. Remarkably, the baby's legs are moving actively and strongly, and the infant did not require a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt after birth. A VP shunt is often used to drain excess fluid from the brain to the abdomen, which helps to relieve pressure and prevent damage caused by fluid build-up.

During a visit to SGH, Dr. Dzulkefly met with the team of specialists who made national history by performing the surgery, the first of its kind in Malaysia. The pioneering procedure on a 26-week foetus marks a major leap in the nation's specialised surgical capabilities. Spina bifida is a condition where the foetal spine fails to close completely, posing risks of paralysis, bladder dysfunction, and excess fluid in the brain.

Dr. Dzulkefly highlighted that through expert intervention while the mother is still pregnant, the baby's spinal cord can be protected from damage, preventing life-threatening respiratory complications. The success of this high-level prenatal treatment demonstrates that multidisciplinary collaboration among local specialists can significantly improve a child's quality of life.

He concluded that this achievement brings hope and great relief to families in Malaysia who may face a similar diagnosis in the future.