Spina bifida occulta

[AniMommy]

I found out that my 18 mo LO has spina bifida occulta. The doctor seemed not to be too concerned. I had her normal checkup and I asked about some hairs that were growing on her lower back.

My LO walks and seems to have normal neurological and musculur functions. Any one have experience with this?

[Suzi]

Sorry I don't know more about it. wanted to offer

[Heather8183]

My dd has the birthmark, dimple, and hair. She had an ultrasound when she was born and they found that the spinal cord was closed, so no Spina Bifida. When we switched ped's, she was referred to a pediatric neurologist, who checked her report from the U/S and said he was satisfied that she was clear. She also walks normally and PL'd early. I worry, because it just takes one idiot not doing their job right for a LOT to change, ya know?

Did they do an mri or anything? I was told after a few months old an U/S isn't reliable and that's the only way to tell.

Good luck with your DD. I hope everything continues normally for her

[Cindydg]

I have that. I am 32. I didn't know that I had it until I was 22 and I hurt my back while moving and had lots of x-rays and a MRI which is when it was seen. It really hasn't caused me any problems. Just missing a piece in there.

[AniMommy]

Originally Posted by Cindydg I have that. I am 32. I didn't know that I had it until I was 22 and I hurt my back while moving and had lots of x-rays and a MRI which is when it was seen. It really hasn't caused me any problems. Just missing a piece in there.

That's what the doc said. I guess it sounds worse than it is. I didn't have a triple or quad screen. Wonder if there would have been any signs in a screening.

[Deanie]

My best friends son was diagnosed with this last winter. He was 11 and had started having frequent UTIs, and he has the birthmark so his doc ordered tests and sure enough he has spina bifida occulta.

When we were reading the info on the web about this, it can look pretty scary. However, this particluar kind of spina bifida can also be completely benign. With my friends son, he has been going to the nearest Shriner's hospital. He will eventually have to have surgery to detach the bottom of his spine to the tissue that it's "stuck" to. (This was the problem... In his particular instance of spina bifida oculta the end of the spine is attached where it shouldn't be and as the child grows, it will cause stress to the spine.) The surgery is routine and he is expected to make a full recovery.

Do NOT assume the worst on this, but DO make sure you have a good doctor (a specialist) and familiarize yourself w/ the symptoms of potential issues. If my friends doc didn't look into the UTIs thoroughly like she did, they wouldn't have found this and the whole process to getting him better would have been delayed.

mama!!

[Deanie]

Originally Posted by Heather8183 My dd has the birthmark, dimple, and hair. She had an ultrasound when she was born and they found that the spinal cord was closed, so no Spina Bifida. When we switched ped's, she was referred to a pediatric neurologist, who checked her report from the U/S and said he was satisfied that she was clear. She also walks normally and PL'd early. I worry, because it just takes one idiot not doing their job right for a LOT to change, ya know? Did they do an mri or anything? I was told after a few months old an U/S isn't reliable and that's the only way to tell. Good luck with your DD. I hope everything continues normally for her

There is NOTHING wrong with getting a second opinion if you want it, even if it's just for your piece of mind.

[SabraLeane]

I have this also. I didnt find out til I was in my 22. I hurt my back at work lifting children and had to have x-rays. I have pain every now and then but nothing I cant deal with. I had a TUN of bladder indections as a child all the way trough my first pregnancy(20yrs) All of a sudden the infections stopped.