Extensive assessment is important to determine the extent of the neurological defect, the presence (or not) of hydrocephalus, the extent of bony deformity of the spine, and any other coexistent congenital abnormalities.
Surgical treatment depends on consultation between parents and surgeon. The majority of babies with a lesser defect will survive to adult life with surgery. The effect of surgery was investigated by Lorber who found that surgery increased the proportion of children who survived over 5 years from 15% with no surgery to 50% with surgery for patients with myelomeningoceles.
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