Is spina bifida a rare disease?
402564
Spina bifida occurs in about 1 in every 2,000 births.  I was born with spina bifida.
828473
No as cancers go it is relatively rare
145578
http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Paliuris+spina-christi
909893
check here for extensive info:\n\n\nhttp://rarediseases.org/search/rdbdetail_abstract.html?disname=Angelman%20Syndrome
361620
I think the reason why you are asking is because of possible birth defects, my advice would be that they should at least be informed on the possible consequences of producing an offspring that had the same illness. Birth Control as well as genetic counseling can help.
401628
like the other answers yes and no  some are born with disabilities and parents may not realise it til  a milestone is missed some can have a serious injury or illness that can make them special needs . and both the former and the latter will call for  special education.  environment can play a part in it or can make the disability seem worse .now i have to kids who r high functioning autistics and mentally retarded and we do not know where it came from or how it happened which unfortunatly is the way with lots of parents of special needs children. and as to the dropping ur baby on its head if this has happened get them checked out and if it wasnt ur kid let the parents know cuz yes that can have harmful (and /or deadly)side effects on the kid.and most of the special needs kids can need a variety of services for along time and some will never be able to live by themselves.
652199
I'm very skeptical of a "god" gene.  A "gullibility" gene seems much more likely.\n\nYes, it is unfair to those who have been saddled with such a gene.  They'll have to work extra hard to overcome their disability.
105436
*Shaking my shaggy skull* Sadly no as it is a chromosomal disorder, modern science has not advanced that far.\n:c(\nWolf-Hirschhorn syndrome is an extremely rare chromosomal disorder caused by a partial deletion (monosomy) of the short arm ("p") of chromosome 4. Major symptoms may include extremely wide-set eyes (ocular hypertelorism) with a broad or beaked nose, a small head (microcephaly), low-set malformed ears, mental and growth deficiency, heart (cardiac) defects, and seizures. Because the amount of genetic material deleted varies, the symptoms of this syndrome vary from case to case.\nTreatment is cosmetic mostly in nature. Treatment of Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome may include surgical repair of malformations. For example, surgery may be performed to correct cleft lip and palate. Other treatment is symptomatic and supportive. A team approach may be helpful in ensuring that affected individuals reach their fullest potential. Such a team approach may include special remedial education, physical therapy, and other medical, social, or vocational services. Genetic counseling will also be of benefit for families of children with Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome.\nIn the future with the advance of genetic sciences perhaps we can find cures that will do things like repair DNA and chromosomal disorders. http://www.hhm.k12.nf.ca/parsonsbio/bioproject/cure.html\nStem Cell research was making interesting progress along those lines until recently.\nThere are currently 26 labs in the US alone studying WHS\nSome resource links are as follows\nhttp://www.madisonsfoundation.org/content/3/1/display.asp?did=230\nhttp://www.webmd.com/hw/raising_a_family/nord622.asp\nhttp://hw.healthdialog.com/kbase/nord/nord622.htm\nhttp://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdbdetail_abstract.html?disname=Wolf+Hirschhorn+Syndrome#\nhttp://www.hhm.k12.nf.ca/parsonsbio/bioproject/WolfHome.html
528676
Theres such risks for birth defects related to our chomosomes.  The statistic for a healthy 18 year old female to have a baby with 43 chormosomes instead of 42 ( Down's Syndrom ) is about one in ever 3000. But for anyone over 38 the stat goes up to like one in seven mothers are likely to have a baby with Down's Syndrome. So it just isnt safe any more, or i should say, it just isnt optimal..
135866
It is highly doutfull however you may be elgible for medical care at a VA hospital or clinic.The only claims are for service connected disabilitys, Agent Orange related illness or your kids being born with spina biffida.
327992
Definition\nSpina Bifida means cleft spine, which is an incomplete closure in the spinal column. In general, the three types of spina bifida (from mild to severe) are:\n\n1. Spina Bifida Occulta: There is an opening in one or more of the vertebrae (bones) of the spinal column without apparent damage to the spinal cord.\n\n2. Meningocele: The meninges, or protective covering around the spinal cord, has pushed out through the opening in the vertebrae in a sac called the "meningocele." However, the spinal cord remains intact. This form can be repaired with little or no damage to the nerve pathways.\n\n3. Myelomeningocele: This is the most severe form of spina bifida, in which a portion of the spinal cord itself protrudes through the back. In some cases, sacs are covered with skin; in others, tissue and nerves are exposed. Generally, people use the terms "spina bifida" and "myelomeningocele" interchangeably.
993510
My daughter has a few birth defects, she was born with long-gap esophageal atresia and a hypoplastic left lung.  I'll tell you more later.  I need to go for now!
718398
IM SORRY THAT THOSE SUFFER WITH M.D, BUT JUST BECUASE ONE PARENT SUFFERS THAT DOSENT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT THE CHILD WILL BE AFFLICTED AS WELL. BUT YOU CAN NEVER BE SURE BEUCASE OF THE REPLICATIONS OF CELLS AND CHROMOSOMES. SOME CELLS WILL LAY DORMANT IN THE BODY UNTIL IT IS MET WITH AND ACTIVE ALLELE MAYBE. BUT THOSE ARE RISKS THAT PARENTS TAKE AND IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO TAKE THOSE RISKS THEN IT IS ALWAYS A WONDERFUL IDEA TO ADOPT NEW BORN BABIES WHO HAVE BEEN LEFT ALL ALONE.
643173
There are many disabilities that are not genetic. Some simply happen by chance, some because the egg was old, some are only possible if both the mother and father are carriers of the disability. If you are really concerned, you and your boyfriend can see a genetic counselor who will be able to tell you if a child produced by the two of you would be at risk.
39922
Down syndrome happens in only 1% of births. It is not a gene passed on by parents, it is a flaw in the egg, and  almost always occurs in women over the age of 35, but is purely random, just because you have one child with down syndrome, that is not an indication that it would ever happen again.  There are tests the doctor can do long before the baby is born to find out if the baby has down syndrome.
39369
Spina bifida is something that can't always be controlled. A baby born spina bifida is born with the spine outside of the skin. That causes a certain type of brain damage meaning that as the child gets older they can learn to walk but it's much more difficult than someone born without spina bifida. Does that help?
132921
I don't understand your question. Until emptiness? Are you talking about hydrocephalus or some other disease state?\n\nEDIT: Hmm. Now I better understand your question, but I have to admit I don't know the answer, it's not my area. It does sound rather severe. A Neurosurgeon is the best person to ask, if you have not already had an appointment with one. Is this congenital (child was born with this)?