Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Treatment

Currently, there is no cure for spina bifida, but there are a number of treatments available to help manage the disease and prevent complications.

Initial goals of treatment include reducing neurological damage to your child, minimizing complications such as infections and helping your family learn about and cope with the disorder.

Treatment may include ongoing surgery, medications, physical therapy and behavioral therapy, and depends on the type and severity of the defect, the childs age and overall health as well as their personal preferences.

Children with the mildest form of the disease, spina bifida occulta, usually do not require treatment. Children with spina bifida meningocele can typically be treated without surgery. However, these children may develop complications, such as bladder problems and hydrocephalus that occurs when excess fluid collects in the brains ventricles. If untreated, it may cause motor or movement disorders or mental retardation. Fluid can be drained from the brain through a surgical procedure that uses a special tube called a shunt. The shunt runs under the skin into the abdomen and the fluid passes into the child's body without harm.

Myelomeningocele, the most severe form of spina bifida, generally requires surgery to correct the spinal defect and prevent infections, as well as further injury or trauma to the exposed spinal cord and nerves. Pediatric surgeons at UCSF Children's Hospital are involved in a five-year clinical trial, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to study surgery before birth as well as surgery after birth to determine the best treatment for spina bifida. For more information about this study, visit this Web site. The study is slated to continue through 2008.

The majority of babies with myelomeningocele also develop hydrocephalus, which requires treatment. Children with this form of spina bifida may also develop a progressive tethering of the spinal cord, in which the spinal cord and vertebrae do not stretch and grow normally as the child grows. This may cause loss of muscle function to the legs, bowel and bladder. Surgery on the spinal cord may be performed to help restore function. Children with bladder function problems are treated by a urologist, who may suggest catheterization, involving a small tube inserted into the bladder to help drain urine.

Many children with spina bifida experience partial or complete paralysis and require devices such as braces, crutches or wheelchairs. These children work with specialists in orthopedics and physical therapy to learn special muscle strengthening exercises. Some children may also need surgery on the hips, legs and feet.

Many children with spina bifida develop an allergy to latex, or natural rubber, which may be caused by early exposure during surgeries and medical procedures. If your child is affected by this allergy, avoid exposing them to latex products, such as baby bottle nipples, pacifiers and balloons. There are latex-free options for many products.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007