Cure for Spina Bifida: Treating Neural Tube Defects

Spina Bifida is a neural tube defect that occurs due to failure of the neural tube to develop or to close completely during gestation. The result is a birth defect that can have an effect on the spine, brain, muscles, nerves, and other bodily functions. Many people affected by Spina Bifida wonder if there is a cure for Spina Bifida. Unfortunately, there is no complete cure for Spina Bifida, but there are treatments available that can minimize the impact of Spina Bifida on someone who is affected with the condition (About.com Rare Diseases).

Cure for Spina Bifida: Surgical Intervention

While surgical intervention does not represent a complete cure for Spina Bifida, surgical procedures can help to limit the impact of Spina Bifida on a patient’s life. If a baby is born with myelomeningocele or meningocele, immediate surgery may be performed to remove the fluid-filled sac that appears and close the spine (March of Dimes). In some cases, physicians may attempt to perform surgery on a fetus while it is still in the womb. This is done to prevent complications caused by pressure and fluid building in the brain due to hydrocephalus. The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and Vanderbilt University Medical Center have reported positive results after performing these procedures. Brain swelling was reduced after this procedure was performed, and the need for shunts to drain fluid off of the brain was reduced (Bruner, 1999).

Cure for Spina Bifida: Physical and Occupational Therapy

Exercise is very important for people with Spina Bifida, no matter how severe the Spina Bifida has become. While therapy is not a cure for Spina Bifida, it can minimize some of its effects. Physical therapists can stretch paralyzed muscles to keep them from wasting away. Exercise can also help with a number of Spina Bifida-related issues such as infection, stress, and constipation (University of Illinois College of Applied Health Sciences).

Cure for Spina Bifida: Talk Therapy

Because there is no complete cure for Spina Bifida, some patients may choose to engage in talk therapy so they can discuss their concerns and ensure that they are able to cope with living with the condition. because Spina Bifida can affect a wide range of functions, from walking to being able to participate in sexual activities, talk therapy can help patients develop goals and life plans to ensure that they are in control of their condition (Spina Bifida Online).

Cure for Spina Bifida Reference Materials

The following reference materials were consulted during the preparation on this article regarding a cure for Spina Bifida. If you are interested in learning more about Spina Bifida and its effects, review these resources.

About.com Rare Diseases. “Spina Bifida: Part of the Spine is Open at Birth.” Retrieved December 18, 2008. Available: About.com Rare Diseases

March of Dimes Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center. Quick References and Fact Sheets. “Spina Bifida.” Retrieved December 18, 2008. Available: March of Dimes Pregnancy & Newborn Health Education Center

Bruner, J.P. et al., Fetal Surgery for Myelomeningocele and the Incidence of Shunt-Dependent Hydrocephalus, Journal of the American Medical Association 282:1819-1825, 1999.

University of Illinois College of Applied Health Sciences. Spina Bifida Physical Activity Guidelines. Retrieved December 18, 2008. Available: University of Illinois College of Applied Health Sciences

Spina Bifida Online. “Spina Bifida.” Retrieved December 18, 2008. Available: Spina Bifida Online