In asthma, different genes have been shown to be responsible in different ethnic groups. The same may be true in spina bifida, Dr. Northrup says. In addition, it may be found that different levels of defect in spina bifida are caused by different genes. This presentation informs school districts, teachers and those in an education-related field about spina bifida and emphasizes the special learning needs of children with spina bifida. The spinal cord and nerves are usually normal, and most affected individuals have no problems caused by this minor abnormality.
Many individuals live out their lives without ever realizing they have the condition.
What to Expect While spina bifida remains one of the most complex of all birth defects, understanding of the condition is constantly and rapidly evolving. Treated aggressively, most children survive. Four out of five reach their first birthday, and three out of five reach their 16th. Because neurologic and musculoskeletal deterioration often increase as patients grow older, regular medical followup is important. However, the complexities of treatment often seem overwhelming to the parents, the patient, and sometimes to the physician since so many organ systems are involved, says Dr. Haynes.