Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is a developmental malformation of the spinal cord that leads to complications in several organ systems and considerable disability, even decades after repair of the anomaly. Before the 20th century, less than 20% of children with spina bifida survived to adulthood, a survival rate that has been improved with the use of safe anesthesia and aseptic surgical techniques and the development, in the 1950s, of ventricular shunts for elevated intracranial pressure. Recent public health measures supporting folate supplementation in women of child-bearing potential have greatly decreased the incidence of the disorder. Surgical approaches directed at ameliorating neurologic complications, together with multispecialty care, have further improved survival and quality of life for children with spina bifida. As a result, most persons now living with spina bifida are adults,1 and the challenge for health care providers is to make sure that adult programs can deliver the same care from which patients benefit in childhood. © 2022 American Institute of Physics Inc.. All rights reserved.