A Baby Is Born with a Myelomeningocele and Needs Urgent

Multiple Choice

A baby is born with a myelomeningocele and needs urgent surgery to repair the defect. The parents want to take the baby home instead. What does the healthcare professional tell the parents about the purpose of this surgery?

A) "Surgery is much easier on a tiny infant than on a larger, older baby."
B) "If your baby has surgery this young, he/she cannot feel pain."
C) "Additional nervous system damage will occur the longer we wait."
D) "Prompt surgery is needed to prevent total paralysis later on."