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Can you live a long life with spina bifida?
According to the Spina Bifida Association website, with some guidance, children with Spina Bifida can lead full lives. “Most do well in school, and many play in sports.
What is a mild form of spina bifida?
Spina bifida occulta is the mildest type of spina bifida. It is sometimes called “hidden” spina bifida. With it, there is a small gap in the spine, but no opening or sac on the back. The spinal cord and the nerves usually are normal.
How long do spina bifida patients live?
Generally, medical professionals state that about 90% of patients with SB will live past their third decade of life. However this number has increased over the years because of improvements in medical technology so it has increased the life expectancy of patients born with spina bifida.
How do you fix spina bifida occulta?
When spina bifida occulta causes no symptoms, it requires no treatment. When it causes tethered cord, surgery to release the tether is sometimes recommended. In general, for any type of tether surgery, the bones of the spinal column are opened from behind to expose the full extent of the spinal cord tethering.
What is the quality of life for spina bifida?
Children with spina bifida had poorer CQOL scores on self-care, continence, and mobility/activities whilst those with hydrocephalus had poorer scores on school activities, worries, sight, and communication. Severity of condition and family resources, i.e. CSES and FNS, predicted 32% of the variance in CQOL.
Can a child with spina bifida ever walk?
People affected by spina bifida get around in different ways. These include walking without any aids or assistance; walking with braces, crutches or walkers; and using wheelchairs. People with spina bifida higher on the spine (near the head) might have paralyzed legs and use wheelchairs.
What age group are affected by spina bifida?
Individuals who are affected with spina bifida are faced with many difficult challenges. The social factors are different in each age group (newborns to infants, toddlers and preschoolers, school aged children, adolescences, teenagers, and adulthood).
Does spina bifida ever go unnoticed?
Severe cases of spina bifida are characterized by a sac filled with fluid that protrudes from the back of the spine, and can be easily detected. Less severe forms of spina bifida-those that generally do not require treatment-are noted by a birthmark or tuft of hair on the spine. If spina bifida is very mild, however, it may never cause symptoms and may go unnoticed and undiagnosed.
What effects does spina bifida have on people?
In forms of spina bifida with an open spinal defect, spina bifida can have a severe impact on both the body and mind. The following are just a few of the effects of spina bifida: – Paralysis: Based on degree of nerve damage, even the less severe types of spina bifida can lead to some amount of paralysis.
Can men with spina bifida have children?
Some men with Spina Bifida can produce children without any medical help. Others may require assistance to father children depending on their ability to ejaculate. This can be explored in more detail with your doctor and a referral to a fertility clinic as required.