Spina Bifida Treatment in Newborns: When Is Surgery Needed and How Does It Help the Child?

When a baby is diagnosed with Spina Bifida after birth, parents often feel overwhelmed. The first hours after delivery are filled with worry, a great deal of new information and unfamiliar medical terms.

Families most often ask doctors the same questions:

– Does the baby need surgery?
– How urgently does it need to be performed?
– Is the treatment painful for the baby?
– What are the chances of recovery?

Modern medicine can help many children with Spina Bifida in newborns during the first hours or days of life. Timely treatment can significantly reduce the risk of complications and create better conditions for the child's further development.

In this article, we explain how Spina Bifida treatment works, why surgery sometimes needs to be performed without delay and what parents should know.

Why should treatment begin as early as possible?

In open forms of Spina Bifida, the nervous structures may remain unprotected after birth.

This creates a risk of:

– infection;
– damage to nerve tissue;
– serious complications.

That is why doctors aim to provide the necessary treatment as soon as possible after the baby is born.

Every case is individual, but for many newborns, time really matters.

What is the main goal of surgery?

Surgery does not completely “cure” Spina Bifida.

The main goals of surgery are to:

– close the spinal defect;
– protect the spinal cord and nerve structures;
– reduce the risk of infection;
– create conditions for further treatment and rehabilitation.

The earlier this can be done, the greater the opportunity to preserve nervous system function.

How does treatment proceed after birth?

After the baby is born, they are examined by a team of specialists.

Depending on the baby's condition, the medical team may include:

– a neonatologist;
– a pediatric neurosurgeon;
– an anesthesiologist;
– a pediatric neurologist;
– an orthopedic specialist;
– a urologist;
– a rehabilitation specialist.

This approach is known as a multidisciplinary approach and is an international standard for caring for children with Spina Bifida.

How is the surgery performed?

The details of the surgical procedure may vary depending on the form of the condition and the baby's health.

Surgery for Spina Bifida in newborns is performed to:

– carefully protect the nervous structures;
– close the defect;
– restore tissue integrity;
– create the safest possible conditions for the child's further development.

After the procedure, the baby remains under continuous observation by the medical team.

Do all children with Spina Bifida need the same treatment?

No.

Treatment is always planned individually.

Doctors take into account:

– the form of Spina Bifida;
– the location of the defect;
– the condition of the nervous system;
– the presence of associated conditions;
– examination results.

That is why two children with the same diagnosis may require different types or amounts of medical care.

Can Spina Bifida be accompanied by other conditions?

Yes.

Some children are also diagnosed with other conditions that require treatment.

One of the most common is hydrocephalus — an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.

In such cases, the child may require additional neurosurgical treatment.

That is why doctors carry out a comprehensive examination after birth.

What happens after surgery?

After surgery, another important stage begins — recovery.

Doctors monitor:

– how the surgical wound is healing;
– the child's overall condition;
– nervous system function;
– the possible development of complications.

Once the child's condition has stabilized, the family receives recommendations for further medical follow-up and rehabilitation.

Why is rehabilitation so important?

Surgery is only one stage of treatment.

The child's further development depends to a large extent on comprehensive support.

Depending on the child's individual needs, the following may be recommended:

– physical therapy;
– sessions with a rehabilitation specialist;
– orthopedic consultations;
– urological follow-up;
– regular neurological examinations;
– follow-up with a neurosurgeon.

Rehabilitation after Spina Bifida surgery is tailored to each child individually.

How does the “Mother and Child” Charitable Organization help?

For more than 20 years, our organization has supported newborns with severe congenital abnormalities.

One of our areas of work is supporting children with Spina Bifida who require urgent surgery during the first hours or days of life.

We provide hospitals with modern medical supplies needed for complex neurosurgical procedures.

Thanks to the support of donors, treatment for many children does not have to be delayed, and the necessary assistance reaches them when it is needed most.

The story of our little Miroslava

One of these children was newborn Miroslava.

Immediately after birth, doctors diagnosed the girl with Spina Bifida, which required urgent surgery.

Thanks to timely support from caring people and the provision of the necessary medical supplies, neurosurgeons were able to perform the procedure without delay.

Today, Miroslava has successfully recovered from the surgery, is continuing her recovery under medical supervision and has a chance for a healthy future.

Each of these stories reminds us how important it is to act quickly when the life of a newborn child is at stake.

Read Miroslava's story

Conclusion

Spina Bifida is a complex congenital condition, but modern medicine makes it possible to provide effective help to many children from the very first hours of life.

Timely surgery, teamwork among medical specialists and subsequent rehabilitation create opportunities for the child's development and an improved quality of life.

The most important thing is not to lose valuable time and to entrust treatment to experienced specialists.

FAQ

Is surgery always performed immediately after birth?

The medical team makes this decision depending on the form of Spina Bifida and the newborn's condition.

Can a child need several surgeries?

Yes. In some cases, treatment consists of several stages, depending on the child's individual needs.

Can Spina Bifida be completely cured?

Spina Bifida is a congenital condition. However, timely treatment and rehabilitation can help reduce the risk of complications and improve the child's quality of life.