Spina Bifida Program

Spina bifida is the most frequently occurring permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. Neural tube defects, including spina bifida, affect approximately seven out of every 10,000 births in the United States.

Children’s of Alabama’s Comprehensive Spina Bifida Program uses a multidisciplinary, family-centered, culturally sensitive approach to care for our children.The mission of the Children’s of Alabama Comprehensive Spina Bifida Program is to utilize best healthcare practices and restore hope and optimal function to all children and adults diagnosed with Spina Bifida as well as highly contribute to the field of Spina Bifida research making a difference for the future of all affected.

At Children’s of Alabama, we are committed to providing care for individuals with Spina Bifida at all ages. Recognizing that the needs of individuals with Spina Bifida don’t end after the teen years, it became apparent that transitioning care to an adult environment was in the individual’s best interest. Because of the sincere passion of the highly skilled team of physicians working in Children’s of Alabama’s pediatric Spina Bifida Clinic, a cooperative program was developed with UAB and Spain Rehabilitation to create an adult clinic in order to provide a continuation of care to adults with Spina Bifida throughout Alabama.

Regardless of age, we have a comprehensive approach to healthcare for all individuals affected. It is our goal to not only provide the most optimal healthcare but to also facilitate proper growth, development, and ultimately overall happiness.

To learn more about, make a referral to, or schedule an appointment with the Comprehensive Spina Bifida Program at Children’s of Alabama, contact Betsy Hopson, MHSA at:

Phone: 205-638-5281
Fax: 205-638-6128
Email: betsy.hopson@childrensal.org

Location
Children’s of Alabama
1600 7th Avenue S.
Birmingham, AL 35233

Mailing Address
Children’s of Alabama
Comprehensive Spina Bifida Program
1600 7th Avenue S.
Lowder Building, Suite 400
Birmingham, AL 35233

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Programs

Children’s of Alabama is home to the largest multidisciplinary Spina Bifida Program in the state of Alabama with over 500 patients. We serve not only our state residents but also residents of the surrounding areas including the pan handle of Florida, Mississippi, and portions of Georgia.

Our program provides:

• Care Coordination
• Developmental assessment
• Mental health screening and referral
• Multidisciplinary care
• Neuropsychological and educational evaluations
• Patient and family education
• Perinatal counseling
• Self-care and self-management training
• School liaison services for educational planning
• Social work and community/public health connections

The Children’s of Alabama clinic meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in clinic 3 in the main Children’s Hospital campus. The clinical services provided through Children’s of Alabama pediatric clinic include:

• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Neurosurgery
• Urology
• Orthopedics
• Nursing
• Case management/ Care Coordinator
• Social work
• Physical Therapy
• Orthotist
• Nutrition
• Research support staff

The adult Spina Bifida clinic meets on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at Spain Rehabilitation. The clinical services provided through the adult Spina Bifida clinic include:

• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Neurosurgery
• Urology
• Nursing
• Case management
• Research support staff