Transitional and health issues of adults with neural tube defects.
OBJECTIVE
To examine past, current, and future developmental and health care issues and concerns of Caucasian, African American, and Mexican American adults, aged 20 to 75 years, with neural tube defects (NTDs).


METHODS
Naturalistic inquiry.


METHODS
A semi-structured interview was used to obtain information from 16 Caucasian, 11 African American, and 15 Mexican American adults.


RESULTS
Three themes identified in the analysis were uncertainty about the future, access to health care and information, and advocacy.


CONCLUSIONS
Documenting the adult trajectories of chronic childhood conditions, such as NTDs, is important. Although much is known about such conditions in childhood, additional knowledge about health and developmental concerns across the lifespan enhances provision of appropriate anticipatory guidance and health care.
College of Nursing, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 180 University Ave., Ackerson Hall, Rm. 102A, Newark, NJ 07102, USA. nehring@rutgers.edu
Wendy M
WM
Nehring
Sandra A
SA
Faux
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D006803:Human Development; D006801:Humans; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012648:Self Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People / Q000193:education / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data