Baby Boy With Severe Spinal Birth Defect Undergoes Surgery Before Birth — Now Doctors See Hope He May Walk

When Paige Smith attended her routine 20-week pregnancy scan, she never imagined that doctors would discover a serious birth defect affecting her unborn son’s spine.

Her baby boy, Zachariah, had spina bifida, a congenital condition in which the spinal column fails to close properly during early development.

For Paige and her husband Cameron, the diagnosis marked the beginning of an extraordinary medical journey involving surgery before birth, premature delivery and months of specialized care.

A Devastating Discovery During Pregnancy

During the ultrasound examination, specialists discovered that Zach had a form of spina bifida involving exposed spinal tissue.

The condition can damage developing nerves and affect a child’s mobility, bladder function and other important bodily processes.

Doctors at Riley Hospital for Children in Indiana offered the family an innovative fetal procedure designed to repair the defect while Zach was still developing inside his mother’s womb.

Only a limited number of hospitals in the United States perform this type of minimally invasive prenatal surgery.

Doctors Operate Before He Is Even Born

A few weeks after the diagnosis, Paige underwent fetal surgery alongside her unborn son.

Maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Hiba Mustafa and pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Jason Chu performed the procedure to repair Zach’s spinal defect.

The operation was intended to protect his developing spinal structures and improve his chances of better neurological outcomes.

Although prenatal repair cannot reverse all damage caused by spina bifida, it can offer important benefits for selected babies.

A Difficult Beginning for a Tiny Baby

Zach was subsequently born prematurely, weighing just two pounds and twelve ounces.

His early life included respiratory difficulties and other medical setbacks.

He required a shunt to help drain excess fluid from his brain, while a feeding tube provided nutritional support.

His parents began working closely with specialists across multiple departments, including neurosurgery, orthopedics, gastroenterology and rehabilitation.

Sixteen Months Later, Every Milestone Matters

By October 2026, Zach was 16 months old and making encouraging developmental progress.

After initially struggling with head control, he learned to hold his head up independently. His therapists are now helping him develop the strength needed to sit without assistance.

He has also started saying simple words, including mama, dada and hi.

His parents celebrated another important improvement when doctors allowed him to breathe room air during the day, although he continued requiring oxygen support at night.

According to his mother, doctors believe Zach may have a chance of walking in the future, although his development remains uncertain.

A Mother Celebrates the Little Boy Behind the Diagnosis

Paige recently had a tattoo dedicated to Zach as a way of celebrating her son and Spina Bifida Awareness Month.

His older sister Rosie also plays an important role in his everyday life, helping him reach for toys and interacting with him as he develops new skills.

For Paige and Cameron, their son’s journey is far from over. Regular therapy, medical appointments and specialist care remain essential.

But the little boy who once weighed less than three pounds has grown into a cheerful toddler whose progress continues to encourage his family and medical team.

His story offers a glimpse into the possibilities of prenatal medicine and the importance of ongoing support for children born with complex conditions.

Source: Riley Children’s Health, October 20, 2026. Patient story by Maureen Gilmer.