Kennedy Krieger Institute: Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida

Spina bifida results from the failure of the spine to close properly during the first month of pregnancy. In severe cases, the spinal cord protrudes through the back and may be covered by skin or a thin membrane. Surgery to close a newborn's back is generally performed within 24 hours after birth to minimize the risk of infection and to preserve existing function in the spinal cord.

Because of the paralysis resulting from the damage to the spinal cord, people born with spina bifida may need surgeries and other extensive medical care. The condition can also cause bowel and bladder complications. A large percentage of children born with spina bifida have hydrocephalus, the accumulation of fluid in the brain. Hydrocephalus is controlled by a surgical procedure called "shunting" which relieves the fluid build up in the brain by redirecting it into the abdominal area. Most children born with spina bifida live well into adulthood as a result of today's sophisticated medical techniques.

Examples, Subsets and Synonyms for Spina Bifida

Myelomeningocele
Meningocele
Myelodysplasia

Related KKI Clinical Programs:

·Boost Therapy Program
·Community Rehabilitation Program
·International Center for Spinal Cord Injury (ICSCI)
·PACT: Helping Children with Special Needs
·Philip A. Keelty Center for Spina Bifida and Related Conditions
·Specialized Transition Program

Related KKI School Programs:

·Kennedy Krieger Institute Department of Special Education

Related KKI Research:

·Molecular Neuroscience Research

Related KKI Faculty:

·Kristin Brockmeyer-Stubbs, MS, OTR/L
·Joan Carney, M.Ed
·Michael F. Cataldo, Ph.D.
·Jackie Krick, MS., RD., LD.
·Arabella Leet, M.D.
·Eric B. Levey, M.D.
·Audrey N. Leviton, L.C.S.W.-C
·Judith M. Levy, M.S.W., M.A.
·Gina Richman, Ph.D.
·Michael W. Schlund, Ph.D.
·Keith J. Slifer, Ph.D.
·Paul Sponseller, M.D.
·T. Andrew Zabel, Ph.D., ABPP-CN

Related KKI Touch Articles:

·A Grateful Gift (Fall/Winter 2006)
·New Life, New Challenges: Young Mom with Spina Bifida Grows with Kennedy Krieger (Winter 2005)

Additional Resources:

The Resource Finder: A Project of Kennedy Krieger Institute

Spina Bifida Association of America
(www.sbaa.org)

ASBAH - Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
(http://www.asbah.org)

Birth Defects Research for Children
(http://www.birthdefects.org)

Chesapeake Potomac Spina Bifida Association
(http://www.chesapeakespinabifida.org)

Children with Spina Bifida - A Resource Page for Parents & Professionals
(http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/~rowley/sb-kids)

Family Voices
(http://www.familyvoices.org)

Folic Acid Campaign, NCBDDD,CDC
(http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid)

Genetic Alliance, Inc.
(http://www.geneticalliance.org)

International Federation for Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida
(http://www.ifglobal.org)

Latex Allergy Links - Spina Bifida
(http://latexallergylinks.tripod.com/sb.html)

National Birth Defects Prevention Network
(http://www.nbdpn.org)

National Center for Learning Disabilities
(http://www.ncld.org)

National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
(http://www.nichcy.org)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
(http://www.ninds.nih.gov)

NINDS Spina Bifida Information Page
(http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/spina_bifida.htm)

National Organization on Disability
(http://www.nod.org)

Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Canada
(http://www.sbhac.ca)

Spina Bifida Association of America
(http://www.sbaa.org)

Spina Bifida Fact Sheet
(http://www.nichcy.org/pubs/factshe/fs12txt.htm)

SpinaBifida.Net - Spina Bifida Web Sites
(http://www.spinabifida.net)

SpinaBifida.org - Information Page
(http://www.spinabifida.org/Spina%20Bifida.htm)

SCI Information Network
(http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu)

The Arc of the United States
(http://www.thearc.org)

Veterans Administration - Spina Bifida Homepage
(http://www.va.gov/hac/spina/spina.html)

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