Spina Bifida
About Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a congenital condition. This means, in order to have spina bifida you have to be born with it. Somehow during fetal development, the vertebrae and spinal cord are malformed. It affects about 1 in 2000 births. There are 3 types of spina bifida: occulta, meningocele, and myelomeningocele. Spina bifida occulta is the least serious form. Meningocele is in-between. Myelomeningocele is the most common and most serious form (see links for more information).
Students with myelominingocele have serious medical complications. Generally, they are permanently paralyzed and have no sensation. Teachers and others must be familiar with wheelchairs and understand the basic medical complications students with this form of spina bifida may present.
Links