Spina Bifida
Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. One out of 1,000 newborns are born with Spina Bifida every year. Each year about 4,000 pregnancies are affected by Spina Bifida. About 95% of children born with Spina Bifida are born to parents with no family history of Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a type of neural tube defect(NTD),Which means "cleft spine" or incomplete closure in the spinal column. This birth defect occurs between the fourth and sixth week of pregnancy.This happens when the fetus is less than a inch long. The most serious form of Spina Bifida may include muscle weakness or paralysis below the defect area, and loss of bowel and bladder control. There are three general types of Spina Bifida(listed mild to severe.)
Spina Bifida Occulta: This opening this is an opening in one or more of the vertebrae (bones) of the spinal column without apparent damage to the actual spinal cord. Approximately 40% of all americans may have Spina Bifida Occulta, But because they experience little or no symptoms, very few are aware that they suffer from this condition.
Menigocele: The meninges(the protective covering around the spinal cord) pushes through the opening in the vertebrae in a sac called the meningocele. In this case the spinal cord stays intact and can be repaired with little to no damage to the nerve pathways.
Myelomeningocele: This is the most severe form of Spina Bifida. In this case a portion of the spinal cord itself protudes through the back. In some cases the sac is covered with skin, in others the nerves and tissue are exposed. A common effect in this form of Spina Bifida is Hydrocephalus, which is accumulation of fluid on the brain. This is managed by a procedure called shunting this relieves the fluid buildup in the brain and reduces risk of brain damage,seizures or blindness. Hydrocephalus may occur without Spina Bifida but the two often occur together. In some case's children with Spina Bifida who also have a history of hydrocephalus experience learning problems.
Some secondary conditions associated with Spina Bifida are orthopedic issues, latex allergy,tendinitis, obesity,skin breakdown,gastrointestinal disorders,learning disabilities,depression, and social and sexual issues.
Thanks to research and Advances in neuro-surgery and urology make it possible for 90% of infants born with Spina Bifida to live full and active lives into adulthood. It is estimated that about 70,000 people in the United States are living with Spina Bifida today! Spina Bifida is usually a isolated birth defect. Birth defects can happen in any family, although women with certain chronic health problemsincluding diabetes,seizure disorder(treated with anticonvulsantmedications),have a increased rate of having a child with Spina Bifida (approximately 1 out of 100) of having a baby with Spina Bifida. Although there is no proven cause of having a baby with a NTD recent research shows that taking folic acid before and during the early stages of pregnancy reduces these risks.During fetal development the body's requirement for this vitamin increases. According to the Spina Bifida Association of America(SBAA) If all women who are able to get pregnant were to take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid the risk of NTD's would be reduced by about 75%. There are 3 tests to diagnose Spina Bifida: A blood test for alpha-fetoprotein;ultrasound;and amniocentesis. Sometimes these test do not detect a child with Spina Bifida.
Resources: Spina Bifida Association(SBA) http://www.sbaa.org
Spina Bifida Occulta: This opening this is an opening in one or more of the vertebrae (bones) of the spinal column without apparent damage to the actual spinal cord. Approximately 40% of all americans may have Spina Bifida Occulta, But because they experience little or no symptoms, very few are aware that they suffer from this condition.
Menigocele: The meninges(the protective covering around the spinal cord) pushes through the opening in the vertebrae in a sac called the meningocele. In this case the spinal cord stays intact and can be repaired with little to no damage to the nerve pathways.
Myelomeningocele: This is the most severe form of Spina Bifida. In this case a portion of the spinal cord itself protudes through the back. In some cases the sac is covered with skin, in others the nerves and tissue are exposed. A common effect in this form of Spina Bifida is Hydrocephalus, which is accumulation of fluid on the brain. This is managed by a procedure called shunting this relieves the fluid buildup in the brain and reduces risk of brain damage,seizures or blindness. Hydrocephalus may occur without Spina Bifida but the two often occur together. In some case's children with Spina Bifida who also have a history of hydrocephalus experience learning problems.
Some secondary conditions associated with Spina Bifida are orthopedic issues, latex allergy,tendinitis, obesity,skin breakdown,gastrointestinal disorders,learning disabilities,depression, and social and sexual issues.
Thanks to research and Advances in neuro-surgery and urology make it possible for 90% of infants born with Spina Bifida to live full and active lives into adulthood. It is estimated that about 70,000 people in the United States are living with Spina Bifida today! Spina Bifida is usually a isolated birth defect. Birth defects can happen in any family, although women with certain chronic health problemsincluding diabetes,seizure disorder(treated with anticonvulsantmedications),have a increased rate of having a child with Spina Bifida (approximately 1 out of 100) of having a baby with Spina Bifida. Although there is no proven cause of having a baby with a NTD recent research shows that taking folic acid before and during the early stages of pregnancy reduces these risks.During fetal development the body's requirement for this vitamin increases. According to the Spina Bifida Association of America(SBAA) If all women who are able to get pregnant were to take a multivitamin with 400 micrograms of folic acid the risk of NTD's would be reduced by about 75%. There are 3 tests to diagnose Spina Bifida: A blood test for alpha-fetoprotein;ultrasound;and amniocentesis. Sometimes these test do not detect a child with Spina Bifida.
Resources: Spina Bifida Association(SBA) http://www.sbaa.org