Spina Bifida

Treatment of Children

With proper medical care, children with spina bifida can lead active and productive lives. Most are successful in school and many are actively involved in modified sports activities despite their physical challenges. Twenty-year follow-up studies of children with spina bifida show they enter college in the same proportion as the general population, and many are actively employed. With recent advancements in care for these children, their prognosis continues to improve.

Spina Bifida Clinic at Mayo Clinic in Minnesota

Mayo Clinic in Minnesota has a specialized Spina Bifida Clinic to coordinate the multispeciality care these children need. The specialists have extensive experience treating children with spina bifida, and set aside specific time in their schedules for spina bifida patients. Appointments are coordinated so that multiple doctor visits and testing can be completed in a single visit, spread over several days. Communication among the medical team members is enhanced when physicians from various specialties see the child at the same time.

The team of medical experts include pediatric specialists in Neurosurgery, Neurology, Medical Genetics (inherited diseases), Urology, Orthopedic Surgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Radiology.

Appointments

For appointments or more information, call the Central Appointment Office at 507-538-3270 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central time Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, or complete an online appointment request form.