Predicting Outcome
The first question always asked is whether there is permanent brain damage, and if the child will have useful leg function. Unfortunately, the neurologist or neurosurgeon can always predict the minimal expected deficits, but not the maximal ones. If a child is paraplegic (has no movement in the legs from the hips down), one may say with certainty that this patient will always remain in a wheelchair. On the other hand, if the child is born with movement of the thigh muscles and feeling down to below the knees, the chances are good for walking with some sort of brace support. When there are no anomalies of the brain (maldevelopment), it is always possible that intelligence will be normal or above, even if there is advanced hydrocephalus at birth. Thus it is possible to predict for a family how well the child will do, but not how poorly.
Other Sites of Interest
Children with Spina Bifida
A page of links for parents of children with spina bifida
Information about Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
From Queensland Association for People with Spina Bifida or Hydrocephalus
Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Index Page with links to many topics
Spina Bifida Association of America
This homepage links to useful information and lists links to other sites.
