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Neural Tube Defects

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Nursing Care of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Patient

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Abstract

Neural tube defects (spina bifida) are congenital anomalies that result from incomplete closure of the neural tube in utero. This chapter discusses the pathophysiology, epidemiology, medical/surgical treatments, and nursing care for patients with open neural tube defects such as myelomeningocele as well as closed neural tube defects. Results from the MOMs trial, hydrocephalus, latex precautions, bowel and bladder continence, tethered cord syndrome, and cutaneous signs of spina bifida occulta are also discussed. Parent stories are included to give a perspective about what life with a child with spina bifida is like.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiology Associates of Appleton, Appleton Medical Center, Appleton, WI, 54911, USA

    Shona Swenson Lenss MS, CFNP

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  1. Shona Swenson Lenss MS, CFNP
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Correspondence to Shona Swenson Lenss MS, CFNP .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Gillham Road 2401, Kansas City, 64108, Missouri, USA

    Cathy C. Cartwright

  2. , Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Mercy Hospital, Gillham Road 2401, Kansas City, 64108, Missouri, USA

    Donna C. Wallace

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Lenss, S.S. (2013). Neural Tube Defects. In: Cartwright, C., Wallace, D. (eds) Nursing Care of the Pediatric Neurosurgery Patient. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32554-0_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32554-0_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-32553-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-32554-0

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