Overcoming boarders: Spina bifida and European Cooperation

Abstract The case report about a Georgian child with prenatally diagnosed spina bifida aperta is intended to show that highly specialized medicine is also available to affected families beyond national borders. Spina bifida aperta is one of the most serious malformations in humans. Worldwide, the abortion rate is estimated at 63%. In recent decades, significant progress has been made in prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The long-term outcome for children with Spina bifida aperta is significantly dependent on the level of the lesion and the timing of surgical treatment. It has been clearly shown that prepartum closure of the lesion reduces loss of function in motor skills and sensitivity. Not all European countries are able to provide appropriate prenatal surgical care. Affected parents should be offered the option of prepartum surgery. Collaborations within Europe for the medical care of Spina bifida aperta should be formed and made easier accessible to parents. Good postpartum follow-up care and special physiotherapeutic treatment of the children increase and ensure the success of the operation. The quality of medical care in all European countries can benefit from collegial cooperation. Overcoming borders instead of building borders can be life-decisive in individual cases. It needs courage to take the step forward and professional moderation between the players. This European cooperation could only succeed because there were convinced and committed players and shows that speciality medicine can also succeed beyond European borders. We need international efforts and funding to be able to offer affected families an alternative to abortion.