Babies diagnosed with brittle bone disease can now be treated before they are born, thanks to a new stem cell treatment.

The treatment involves injecting stem cells that aid in bone formation into the foetus. This procedure was performed on a girl by a team of experts, including researchers from the National University Hospital (NUH), in October 2009.

Although the stem cells were not a genetic match, the girl's immune system did not reject the cells. Subsequently, the girl was able to grow at a normal rate, with no fractures. Stunted growth and multiple fractures are a characteristic of sufferers from brittle bone disease.