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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Does Missing Vertebraes At Birth Affect A Child?

what future does a child have that is born with 8 missing vertebrae? my step daughter is 20 weeks pregnant with a little girl and this has been discovered...........it has been recommended that she terminate the pregnancy? would this be the best thing to do or not............
Wed, 10 Sep 2014
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Pediatrician, Surgery,  's  Response
Thanks for your query

It would be good to have images of the ultrasound scan to give a detailed answer. Based on what you have said, 8 missing vertebrae could be half vertebrae ( hemi vertebrae) or completely missing vertebrae. The half vertebrae is more likely, it could be associated with multiple other conditions in the chest and stomach. If the whole vertebrae are missing, most likely the child will have scoliosis, a bent spine that would require stabilisation surgery as the child grows older.

It would be best if images could be sent to give a detailed answer.
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How Does Missing Vertebraes At Birth Affect A Child?

Thanks for your query It would be good to have images of the ultrasound scan to give a detailed answer. Based on what you have said, 8 missing vertebrae could be half vertebrae ( hemi vertebrae) or completely missing vertebrae. The half vertebrae is more likely, it could be associated with multiple other conditions in the chest and stomach. If the whole vertebrae are missing, most likely the child will have scoliosis, a bent spine that would require stabilisation surgery as the child grows older. It would be best if images could be sent to give a detailed answer.