Spina bifida is, thankfully, a relatively rare condition; the prevalence of spina bifida in the UK is 0.06%, which means that the condition affects 6 out of every 10,000 babies born. A recent episode of the popular television show Call the Midwife, which focused on a child born with spina bifida, caused a huge surge in the number of people accessing the NHS website pages about the condition.

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Now in its 14th series, Call the Midwife first hit our screens back in 2012. The period drama focuses on a group of midwives working in London in the 50s, 60s and 70s and features many talented actors including household names like Miranda Hart, Jenny Agutter and Pam Ferris.

The recent episode centred on a baby girl who had been born with meningocele, a serious form of spina bifida characterised by the meninges (protective membranes that surround the spinal cord) pushing out through the spine. This type of spina bifida causes the patient to experience problems with their movement. Fluid that builds up on the brain can sometimes result in learning difficulties. The programme ended on a positive note, with an operation performed on the child being successful.

In the hour immediately after the episode was broadcast, there were 18,876 hits on the NHS website pages about spina bifida. By the end of the week, that figure had leaped even further to 30,202 hits. When compared to the number of hits on these pages in the week before the programme was aired (2,280), this represents a massive increase of 1,224%.

The recent surge in public awareness regarding health conditions like spina bifida has been greatly enhanced by the portrayal of such conditions in popular media. As NHS England National Clinical Director for Children and Young People, Professor Simon Kenny, commented, "Storylines in programmes like Call the Midwife are powerful in spreading awareness and helping prevention – and of course the NHS website is always there to give clear, factual advice to anyone who wants to find out more about these conditions."

Such portrayals play a crucial role in educating the public, offering not just awareness but also encouraging proactive health measures, such as seeking medical advice and utilising resources available through institutions like the NHS.

The term 'spina bifida' comes from Latin words meaning 'split spine'. It occurs when the neural tube (a structure which eventually becomes the spinal cord and brain) does not develop properly when the child is in the womb, resulting in a gap in the spine. At present, the exact causes of spina bifida are not fully understood, but a low intake of folic acid during pregnancy is known to be a significant risk factor.

Spina bifida, a birth defect in which the spine and spinal cord do not form properly, continues to impact many children worldwide. As a result, health professionals emphasise the importance of prenatal care, including proper nutrition, to reduce the risk of birth defects like spina bifida.

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How can SDO® Original Dynamic Lycra® Garments help?

For those affected by spina bifida, various interventions are available to help manage the condition and improve quality of life. Dynamic Lycra® garments from the SDO® Original and SDO® Lite collections by Medigarments Ltd offer significant benefits for individuals living with spina bifida. These dynamic compression garments are designed to support the wearer's functional performance, helping to improve fine motor skills, enhance neural integration, and promote movement fluency.

These garments provide a gentle yet effective compression that can reduce muscle tone, assist with postural control, and facilitate improved physical coordination, making them an essential aid for those managing the physical challenges associated with spina bifida. SDO® Original garments can be especially beneficial for children and young people with spina bifida as they help address both physical and developmental challenges.

By promoting better movement and physical coordination, these garments can help improve overall function, independence, and well-being. For more information on how these garments can assist in managing the symptoms of spina bifida, Medigarments Ltd invites individuals to explore their website at www.­jobskin.­co.­uk.

The website provides comprehensive details about the range of garments available, their features, and how they can support individuals with spina bifida. Additionally, Medigarments' clinical team is available to answer any questions and provide personalised advice, ensuring that clinicians have the support they need to offer the best possible care for their patients and families.

We are dedicated to providing the ultimate in therapy management, with a focus on improving patient quality of life.

For further information, please browse our website or reach out to our expert clinical team. For more special features like this one here, please subscribe to our free email newsletter or spread the word by liking and following us on LinkedIn,Facebook, X and Instagram.

Medigarments Ltd is the company behind the internationally recognised brands Jobskin^® and SDO^®. We lead the way in rehabilitation therapy and are the largest UK manufacturer of specialist custom compression garments supplied through therapy and orthotic professionals.­ Our reputation for the design and supply of technically advanced garments has been built over 40 years supplying the highest quality made-to-measure products. Our garments are used to manage scarring as a result of burns or traumatic injuries. In the field of dynamic compression, they are used to increase sensory and proprioceptive feedback as well as provide musculoskeletal support.

SDO^® Original is part of The World of SDO^® Sensory Dynamic Orthosis™ range of dynamic Lycra^® compression garments by Medigarments Ltd. SDO^® is the registered trademark of Medigarments Ltd.