Do people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus need medical treatment?
Babies with spina bifida often need surgery to close repair the lesion on their back This is usually carried out within 48 hours of birth. Operations to treat hydrocephalus may also be done in the first few weeks of life. This is usually to insert a “shunt”, a device to divert CSF around the blockage into another area of the body where it can be absorbed back into the bloodstream. Bladder problems may need managing with intermittent catheterisation, and surgery may be required later in life to promote independent management and improve continence. People with spina bifida and hydrocephalus need regular checks on their kidneys and shunts to ensure they stay well. Children and adults with spina bifida may need orthopaedic operations to correct their posture, or wear splints to keep their feet and ankles in a good position.
