Are there other health problems that are more common among babies with myelomeningocele?
These children require life-long medical support to address a variety of issues. The location of the myelomeningocele is usually related to the long-term prognosis for these children. Generally speaking, the outcome is usually better for defects lower on the spine. These children often require lifelong interventions in the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, urinary, and gastrointestinal systems. Cognitive function is variable, but many children exhibit some degree of learning disability. Latex allergies are more common with these children as they are exposed to multiple surgical procedures, and urinary catheterizations throughout their lifetime. Multiple exposures may lead to a clinical latex reaction and possibly an anaphylactic reaction during routine care at home. Every effort should be made to remove latex items from the child’s environment from birth. Can this happen again with another pregnancy? In most cases, myelomeningocele is considered to be a due to multifactorial inheritance
