Treatment of spina bifida depends on the type one has.
- Spina bifida occulta usually requires no treatment.
- Meningocele, which does not involve the spinal cord, can be repaired surgically, usually with no paralysis.
- A baby with the most severe form of spina bifida, myelomeningocele, usually requires surgery within 24 to 48 hours after birth.
About 90 percent of children with the most severe form of spina bifida develop hydrocephalus, or fluid on the brain. If the child develops hydrocephalus, fluid can be drained from the brain through surgical placement of a special tube called a shunt.
Other chronic complications associated with severe spina bifida include obesity, gut and urinary tract disorders, psychological and sexual issues, and learning disabilities.
del.icio.us
Digg this
