life expectancy

[eng188]

It seems to me there are no good stats on this, and I've just been kind of curious lately about it. Spina Bifida is not treated at terminal, as, say cystic fibrosis is. But occasionally, it does seem people do pass away kind of young, as in a 21/f who was otherwise a healthy sb, due to a blod clot.

[Barb]

I wish there were good statistics on this. You would think that with all the surgeries and other diagnosis that go along with sb that it would generally be lower than the 'average' population but if you ask most medical professional they will tell you that sb does not lower life expectancy.

[trekman]

I have read a lot about life expectancy and Spina Bifida and it seems that the biggest problems one could face is either a shunt infection or renal failure. I know two girls here in the uk that sadly passed away due to both of these conditions before they were 25. However, it is not all bad news. If you eat sensibly, get regular heath checks then there really is no reason why you can't live as long as anyone else. I actually remember reading a story on a Spina Bifida website (http://www.asbah.org/ I think) and it mentioned that the longest lived person that they knew of with the most severe form of Spina Bifida lived to be 85 so I guess there is hope for us all!

[Dodger67]

I've seen the same "stats". If you
1. survive the first few days
and then look after your
2. kidneys
and
3. shunt (if you have one)

Except for these 3 "killers" there's no significant difference from the average. Each surgery has its own mortality factor (usually very small).
For the rest its the usual, heart disease, cancer, accident, etc, same as anybody else.

[angel]

I have heard and read the same thing. If you take care of your kidneys, and shunt eat right, exercise as much as you can we should live a normal life span. Blood clots can happen to anyone at any time i think everyone is subject to that.

Angel