When a myelomeningocele is detected before birth, the family can meet with the neurosurgeon and other spina bifida team members for information and planning. A variety of books, pamphlets and videotapes are available for review in the Mayo Clinic Patient Health and Education Center. Health education specialists are available to help patients and families locate resources and perform computer-based literature searches. There are also support groups available to provide support to the patient and family. One such group is the Spina Bifida Association of America .
Nursing staff is also available to provide individualized patient education.
Sometimes the care of the child with spina bifida can seem overwhelming and be very complicated due to the multisystem needs of the child. Mayo Clinic has developed a specialized clinic designed to coordinate a multidisciplinary team approach to the management of these children. The specialists all have a special interest in treating children with spina bifida, and all of them set aside specific time in their schedules for spina bifida patients. Therefore, the child receives optimal and cost-effective care. In addition, because physicians from various specialties see the child at the same time, communication between the team members is enhanced.