Affiliations: Division of General Internal Medicine, University of
Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Thomas S. Webb, MD, MSc, Associate
Professor of Clinical Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine,
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 231 Albert Sabin Way, ML 0535,
Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA. Tel.: +1 513 636 8375; Fax: +1 513 803 0072; E-mail:
Thomas.Webb@cchmc.org
Abstract: Survival into adulthood for individuals with spina bifida has
significantly improved over the last 40 years. Health services research
suggests the majority of patients with spina bifida are now over 18 years old.
Adults with spina bifida have ongoing increased medical needs compared to the
general population, including spina bifida-specific care, age-related secondary
disabilities, and general adult medical needs. Unlike pediatric-aged patients,
adults may not have access to multi-disciplinary spina bifida clinics and must
often coordinate their own care with adult providers less familiar with spina
bifida and the associated monitoring and treatment issues. This article will
provide an overview of the medical issues of adults with spina bifida,
highlighting areas that are different than pediatric care.
