Medical Rehabilitation of the Adult with Spine Bifida

Adults with Spina Bifida (SB) can now live longer than ever before thanks to advances in medical research. Because of the increase in life expectancy, health care must be extended into maturity. The death of newborns with myelomeningocele had a substantial impact on survival rates prior to 1975. At least 75%–85% of children born with SB are projected to live to adulthood today. However, based on the current statistics, it is impossible to correctly predict the life expectancy of persons with SB. The expanding adult SB population has sparked a slew of research projects aimed at elucidating medical and rehabilitative concerns that affect this group. Neurological, neurosurgical, cognitive, psychosocial, renal/urological, bowel management, mobility, musculoskeletal/orthopaedic, sexual function, skin, and other domains are among them. Complications of the kidneys, heart, and lungs have all been identified as common causes of mortality. The medical and rehabilitation care of these secondary health disorders must be optimised in order to reduce mortality, morbidity, and impairment in adults with SB and improve quality of life.