The Effect of Growth Factors on Skin Regeneration After Intra Uterine Closure of Full Thickness Skin Defects

Spina bifida is a congenital birth defect caused by incomplete closure of the neural tube. Exposure of the spine to the intra-uterine environment results in neural damage [1]. In utero closure of the defect diminishes the severity of neural tissue damage [2]. To prevent complications during further development, i.e. growth retention of the defect and tethered cord, it is important that the closed defect grows with the child. Prenatal analysis has indicated that intra-uterine treatment of full-thickness skin defects with a collagen scaffold functionalized with heparin, VEGF and FGF2 is beneficial for wound healing [3]. In this study, we post natally analyzed collagen skin constructs that were implanted intra-uterinely (without neural tube defect). We focused on the ability of the collagen scaffolds to induce growth of the skin and to fully regenerate skin, including its appendices.