Scott Price: Hello! I am Scott Price, President of the Spina Bifida Foundation. I serve as a National Advocate for spina bifida related issues and I am also the proud father of an adult son, living with spina bifida. Spina bifida is a neural tube defect, which occurs when a new born babies spinal column fails to close completely.

In the most severe form of spina bifida called myelomeningocele. The open spine is usually operated on enclosed by a neurosurgeon within 2 or 3 days. This helps prevent infection and further damage to the spinal cord. A baby born with a meningocele which is a milder form of spina bifida, where the nerves are contained in a small sac or often also have surgery to repair their back. But more often they are not, these children will not experience paralysis. They may however experience other health challenges related to the spina bifida.

Throughout the course of life, a person with spina bifida may develop additional physical conditions such as bowel and bladder problems, shunt malfunction, latex allergy, skin breakdown and more. Those who are living with spina bifida should be evaluated by a physician, specialist on a regular basis in order to monitor any of these conditions and treat them as necessary.

In the next segment, we will consider some of the non-medical treatments for spina bifida.