The Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) has launched the Centre for Spina Bifida: research, intrauterine treatment and long-term follow-up. The centre is coordinated by Drs Elena Carreras, head of the Maternal and Foetal Medicine and the Obstetrics Service and Ampar Cuxart, head of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, and counts with the participation of nine research groups."The aim is to generate and promote new knowledge about intrauterine treatment of spina bifida, coordinating the work we've already been doing for years in this field by the different research groups of VHIR," says Dr. Carreras. In this way, says, "the Barcelona's Vall d'Hebron Hospital Campus will become a centre of international reference in the research of this disease, but also in caring and teaching". In the field of basic research, the researchers will focus on regenerative medicine, in particular, research on neural stem cells that can be placed on the site of the injury, in order to regenerate different tissues affected by the disease: neural, muscle, bone and skin. And with regard to clinical research, it will be directed towards the improvement and optimization of the surgical technique, innovating in surgical sutures and developing new instruments.On the other hand, the Centre for Spina Bifida was born as a leader in medical care, given that since more than 30 years the University Hospital Vall d'Hebron has had a multidisciplinary unit, directed by Dr. Cuixart and without age limit, which is dedicated exclusively to neural tube defects. From the year 2011, this unit operates successfully diagnosed foetuses. Now, one of the other objectives of the Centre is to create groups of parents of children prenatally operated, in order to encourage mutual support.Finally, the new transversal programme aims to develop in the coming years a highly specialised training for future professionals who wish to devote themselves within this field.Along with this program, VHIR has launched two more, which we will soon detail: the Management Program focused on the patient with Cardiovascular Risk: a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, and the one of Adult and Pediatric Rare Diseases.About spina bifidaSpina bifida is the colloquial name by which neural tube defects are known. The most severe open form of neural tube defect compatible with life is the myelomeningocele, which implies affectation of the central nervous system with hydrocephalus and Chiari II malformation, of the genitourinary system with bladder and bowel incontinence, as well as neurological injury of the lower extremities - more or less severe depending on where it is placed the spinal malformation -. The myelomeningocele occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy (between 23 and 26 days gestation), and affects the formation of the spinal cord and the closure of the spinal column. The contact of the neural plate during pregnancy with the walls of the uterus and amniotic fluid ends up worsening the initial neurological injury.To this day the spina bifida represents the second cause of physical disability in childhood, and it is estimated that in Spain it affects between 4 and 5 for every 10,000 live births.