PSYCHOSOCIAL

School days: Junaida might soiled her clothes, could not hold urine or stools adequately.
- Problems with friends. Been teased off, uncaring teachers might find it irritating and develop prejudice thinking towards her.
- Have to carry a few change of clothes.
- Have to take lessons on how to control bowels and bladder problems.

Life long medical attention: starts with an antenatal diagnosis
- Neurologist: hydrocephalus and birth defects
- Pediatric neurologist: neurological problems.
- Nephrologist: kidney
- Rehabilitation physicial: overall MSK problems
- Orthopaedic surgeon: look into deformity, corrections when appropriate

Since Junaidah has spina bifida, this increases the risk of a child with spina bifida or other neural tube defects. Thus, when she is pregnant later in life, she has to take a higher dose of folic acid compared to normal people ( 10 x 400micrograms).

Doctor: vital role
Doctor must brief parents and prepare them by giving them a rough idea on what is going to happen after the baby is born.
Doctors must brief parents on how to take care on the baby and what to take note on, challenges the baby will face as the baby gets older. This is because problems do not stay the same all the time in spina bifida patients and their needs also change over time.

Provide support for the family members.
Support groups:
Spina Bifida Association Malaysia (SIBIAM) aims to improve the life chances of a person with spinal bifida and congenital/childhood spinal disorders.
KIWANIS

Video on Abigail branson : http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2644693/k.8A2E/Real_Stories.htm

Reference:
http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2008/6/15/health/21447192&sec=health
http://thestar.com.my/health/story.asp?file=/2008/6/15/health/20080615075253&sec=health
http://www.myhealth.gov.my/myhealth/eng/kanak_content.jsp?lang=kanak&sub=0&bhs=may&storyid=1186466245941