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Tethered Spinal Cord

 
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Question

During the time that my daughter was diagnosed with CdLS, my doctor noticed that my daughter had a small patch of hair on the base of her spine. The patch is no longer there, but there is a small birth mark present. Her Doctor thinks that it could be a sign of tethered cord. My daughter doesn’t show any neurological effects so far. She does have occasional accidents and she is also a chronic bed-wetter and has had a history of bladder infections. They are going to conduct an MRI to help confirm. Can these be symptoms of a tethered spinal cord? Is this common in children with CdLS?

Answer of our experts

While it is certainly not common, there is an impression that things such as a tethered cord and occult spinal dysraphism may indeed be a little more common in children with CdLS - but this could also be by chance. MRI is a good idea.

CB/ TK 7-13-10

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Find other pages that share the same topic as this page Growth in Childhood 15 Cognitive and behavioural characteristics in CdLS 1 Cognitive and behavioural characteristics in CdLS 9 Autonomic nervous system 20

Recommendation(s)

Autonomic nervous system

R47
Seizures in individuals with CdLS should be treated using the general management schemes.
R48
An MRI of the brain should be considered only if the individual with CdLS shows neurological signs other than microcephaly (smaller than normal head).

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