Pediatric perspective on prenatal counseling for myelomeningocele

BACKGROUND: Over the past 35 years, advances in the prenatal diagnosis of spina bifida using ultrasound and laboratory testing have increased the number of patients seeking prenatal counseling. METHODS: Traditionally, this counseling has been provided by practitioners with little direct experience in the care of individuals with spina bifida across their life span. RESULTS: Physicians experienced in the care of children with spina bifida are able to provide information that is not available from other sources. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides a broad overview of many of the issues encountered during prenatal counseling sessions and emphasizes the additional value of the pediatric perspective during the process of informed decision making or preparation for an the birth of an affected child. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 76:645–653, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.