"Although spina bifida is relatively common, until recently most children born with a myelomeningocele died shortly after birth. Now that surgery to drain spinal fluid and protect children against hydrocephalus can be performed, children with myelomeningocele are much more likely to live. Quite often, however, they must have a series of operations throughout their childhood. Children with myelomeningocele need to learn mobility skills, and often require the aid of crutches, braces or wheelchairs. It is important that all members of the school team and the parents understand the child's' physical capabilities and limitations. Physical disabilities like spina bifida can have profound effects on a child's' emotional and social development. To promote personal growth, families and teachers, should encourage children, within the limits of safety and health, to be independent and to participate in activities with their non disabled classmates. (NICHCY).

A large percentage (70%-90%) of children born with myelomeningocele spina bifida may also have a condition called hydrocephalus. Hydrocephaly is a condition in which "a watery fluid, known as cerebro-spinal fluid or CSF, is produced constantly inside each of the four spaces or ventricles inside the brain. The CSF normally flows through narrow pathways from one ventricle to the next, then out over the outside of the brain and down the spinal cord. The CSF is absorbed into the bloodstream and recirculates, and the amount and pressure are normally kept within a fairly narrow range. If the drainage pathways are blocked at any point, the fluid accumulates in the ventricles inside the brain, causing them to swell - resulting in compression of surrounding tissue. In babies and infants, the head will enlarge," (ASBAH). "The skull bones in babies and young children are not fixed together as they are in later life, and the pressure causes the head to increase in size," (Bayston 1). "In older children and adults, the head size cannot increase as the bones which form the skull are completely joined together," (ASBAH). "Even very small babies can now be made to survive, but their vital functions, normally taken care of during pregnancy by the mother, have to be controlled artificially. Unavoidable rapid changes in blood pressure can cause bleeding in the brain, and the blood from this hemorrhage blocks the sieve-like absorption system leading to post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus. Brain hemorrhages in adults (stroke) is similar and can also lead to hydrocephalus in survivors," (Bayston). "Hydrocephalus is controlled by a surgical procedure called "shunting," which relieves the fluid buildup in the brain. If a drain (shunt) is not implanted, the pressure buildup can cause brain damage, seizures, or blindness. Hydrocephalus may occur without spina bifida, but the two conditions often occur together," (NICHCY 1).

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2096
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)