OBJECTIVE The current study investigated individual growth in autonomy development across the adolescent transition, comparing the trajectories of children with and without spina bifida. METHOD Individual growth curve modeling procedures were utilized to describe the developmental course of autonomy across four waves of data collection, from ages 9 to 15, and to test whether illness status [s...

Based on a family systems/social-ecological perspective, mothers and fathers of 8- and 9-year-old children with spina bifida (n = 55; 28 male, 27 female) were examined in comparison to a matched group of parents with 8- and 9-year-old able-bodied children (n = 55; 29 male, 26 female) across several areas of functioning (individual, parental, and marital). Findings suggested that mothers and fat...

The present physical handicaps and social status of 202 survivors of spina bifida cystica attending The Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street before 1954 are described. Ninety-three of the patients, mostly with uncomplicated meningocele, had escaped serious disability and were living normal lives. But 109 had a serious disability, including three who are mentally retarded. Some of the...

BACKGROUND Caregiver productivity costs are an important component of the overall cost of care for individuals with birth defects and developmental disabilities, yet few studies provide estimates for use in economic evaluations. OBJECTIVE This study estimates labor market productivity costs for caregivers of children and adolescents with spina bifida. METHODS Case families were recruited fr...

In a previous communication (Record and McKeown, 1949) it was noted that in Birmingham the incidence of anencephalus and spina bifida decreased during the years 1940-47, while the incidence of hydrocephalus remained fairly constant. It was tentatively suggested that this decrease might be correlated with changes in the parity distribution of births, since it was shown that the incidence of anen...

Mayo A, Berbrayer D: From wheelchair to cane: elective transtibial amputations in a patient with spina bifida. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2015;94:e107Ye110. Spina bifida is associated with foot deformities, which may lead to foot ulcers, osteomyelitis, and limb amputation. Calcanectomy and Symes amputations have been reported successful in spina bifida. There is lack of evidence for transtibial ampu...

BACKGROUND this study aimed to compare mental health of mothers of children with spina bifida with mothers of able-bodied controls. METHODS eighty-one mothers of children with spina bifida aged 1-18 years completed the General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) and Parenting Stress Index Short Form (PSI/SF). The controls were 69 mothers of children with acute, non-disabling illnesses. Each chil...

PURPOSE It is still largely unknown how neural tube defects in spina bifida affect the nerves at the level of the sacral plexus. Visualizing the sacral plexus in 3 dimensions could improve our anatomical understanding of neurological problems in patients with spina bifida. We investigated anatomical and microstructural properties of the sacral plexus of patients with spina bifida using diffusio...

OBJECTIVE To design and evaluate a camp-based intervention, the goal of which was to increase independence among children, adolescents, and adults with spina bifida. METHODS An intervention targeting independence was embedded within a typical week long camp experience. The intervention consisted of the following: collaborative (i.e., parent and camper) goal identification, group sessions cons...

INTRODUCTION The intake of folic acid before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy can prevent spina bifida. This paper describes folic acid intake in women in Gulu district in northern Uganda. METHODS Structured interviews were held with 394 women attending antenatal care (ANC), 15 mothers of children with spina bifida, and 35 health workers in 2012 and 2013. SPSS16 was used...