These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
[posted 03/16/2000]
Question: I already have a daughter wit spina bifida and i am currently on micronor. will this increase my chances of haveing another child with this or cause other birth defects if i become pregnet whilt takeing?
Answer: No.
Spina Bifida [posted 8/7/98]
Question: My son was diagnosed with Spina Bifida when he was 7 years
old. I was told that he is missing part of his vertebrae
in the lumbar area, and that the spine is exposed in that
area. The only physical symptoms he had were pain in his
legs after running or walking a lot. He has never had bladder
problems. My questions is, as a mother, do I need to protect him
in any way from certain activities? He is now a teenager,
and I am concerned about letting him play contact sports. He
also wants to be a commercial pilot someday – will they
not accept him if he has this condition? Our local doctor
has not been very helpful about this.
Answer: Your son has spina bifida occulta. This is a mild form of the congenital problem which you correctly describe as incomplete closure of the spinal cord. He is somewhat at more risk of direct local trauma to the spinal cord, but it’s probably minimal. There should be no limitations concerning other activities.
Spina Bifida
Question: What treatments are available and recommended for Spina
Bifida (tethered spine) diagnosed in a 50 year old female?
fein
Answer: The features of the disease depends on the level and severity of the lesion.
Bowel and bladder sphincters may be affected. Orthopedic problems (e.g. club foot) are common
and seizures can be seen. A multidisciplinary approach provides the best management of a patient
with severe lesions.
