Personalized care:
No two people with spina bifida are affected in the same way. We take a personalized approach and tailor your child’s care to fit their unique needs and goals. Meet our team.
Getting a spina bifida diagnosis during pregnancy or after your baby is born can be a huge blow. Suddenly, the future can feel a little unpredictable.
But you can take comfort in knowing that your child can lead a healthy and fulfilling life with the right therapies — and lots of love and support.
At Cleveland Clinic Children’s, we understand the complexities and challenges of managing all types of spina bifida. Our expert team offers compassionate support and personalized treatment designed to help your child grow and thrive.
No two people with spina bifida are affected in the same way. We take a personalized approach and tailor your child’s care to fit their unique needs and goals. Meet our team.
Cleveland Clinic Children’s experts have done many surgeries to repair myelomeningocele while a fetus is still in the uterus. Our dedicated team of highly skilled providers uses the most innovative techniques to treat spina bifida.
It can take the experience of many healthcare providers from different specialties to care for people with spina bifida. Your child’s healthcare team will work together to create the most cohesive treatment plan for the best results.
If getting to your provider’s office is challenging, you might be able to have a virtual visit for some appointments. You’ll get the same great care, but from the comfort and convenience of home.
Cleveland Clinic Children’s is a trusted healthcare leader. We’re recognized in the U.S. for our expertise and care.
Spina bifida happens when your fetus’s spine doesn’t develop completely during the first month of pregnancy. The name “spina bifida” means “split spine.” There are three types of spina bifida based on how it affects your fetus’s spine and neural tube development:
We may be able to diagnose spina bifida during pregnancy, but other times, we find the condition after birth. No matter when it’s discovered, our providers will work with you to answer all your questions and create a treatment plan that matches your child’s needs.
The decision to get testing during pregnancy belongs to you and your family. Your child’s pediatric provider may suggest testing if they feel there’s an increased risk for — or if there are signs of — spina bifida.
In most cases, your healthcare provider can spot spina bifida during an ultrasound. We can also perform a fetal MRI to see your child’s spinal cord and brain more clearly.
Sometimes, you may not learn your baby has spina bifida until after they’re born. Myelomeningocele and meningocele will be easy to spot due to the fluid-filled sac on your baby’s back.
But it can be harder to tell if your child has spina bifida occulta. They may have a hairy patch, dimple, dark spot or swelling on their back where the gap is in their spine. Their pediatric provider can confirm spina bifida occulta with an ultrasound, X-ray or MRI.
Like you, we want your child to have the best life possible. If you choose Cleveland Clinic Children’s for spina bifida care, your child will be cared for by a skilled team of providers that will guide, inform and support your family.
All of our spina bifida specialists will work with your child’s pediatrician or another pediatric primary care provider. Spina bifida treatments are separate from your child’s routine medical care, like wellness checks and vaccinations. Their team could include:
Our healthcare providers see patients at convenient locations throughout Northeast Ohio.
Our pediatric spina bifida experts will sit down with you and your family to create a highly personalized treatment plan for your child. We take a lot of factors into account as we craft this plan. We look at what kind of spinal cord damage your child has, their symptoms, their risk for complications and their needs and goals. We also consider what’s best for your family. We focus on your child every step of the way as we plan and adapt their treatment.
Since spina bifida can cause permanent nerve damage, people with it often require ongoing care. Depending on your child’s condition, they may need a mix of therapies. These could include:
We usually recommend surgery first to treat myelomeningocele and meningocele. There are two ways we do this:
Your child may need additional spinal surgery later in life if they develop a tethered spinal cord, a common complication of spina bifida. This is one of the many complications we’ll keep a close eye on as your child grows. Frequent check-ins can help us catch and treat any issues early.
Many babies with spina bifida develop hydrocephalus (a buildup of fluid around their brains). They may need surgery to place a shunt — a small, hollow tube that will help drain the fluid from their brain. As they grow, they may need additional surgery to change or unblock the shunt.
Spina bifida can cause spinal cord damage that affects how your child moves and gets around. Mobility aids — like leg or arm braces, a walker or a wheelchair — can often help. Physical therapy and occupational therapy can also strengthen their muscles and teach them new ways to make everyday tasks easier. Our experts will tailor your child’s care to help them live as independently as possible.
Many people with spina bifida can’t control when they go to the bathroom. This could make it hard to empty their bladder or bowel (peeing or pooping) or not be able to stop themselves from going (incontinence). There are many types of incontinence with varying degrees of severity. Together, we’ll figure out a care plan that’s best suited for your child and family.
Examples of care your child may need include:
We’ll watch how your child’s bladder, kidney and bowel work as they grow and will adapt their care plan as needed.
It’s not uncommon for adults with spina bifida to have new health issues that are different from the ones they had in childhood. Our adult spina bifida experts understand the unique healthcare needs and quality of life concerns adults with spina bifida have. When the time is right, we’ll make sure your child moves comfortably to care with our adult providers.
When you find out your child has spina bifida, it can change your family’s life in an instant. But you don’t have to go through it alone. Cleveland Clinic Children’s is here to support your family and help your child live a healthy and fulfilling life. Our experienced and compassionate providers partner with your family — guiding you to the right care and resources along the way.
Getting an appointment with Cleveland Clinic Children’s spina bifida experts is easy. We’ll help your child get the care they need.
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