Spina Bifida! This may sound weird or curiouser to you. If you are smart enough you can guess that Spina is a word related to spine.Yes, you are right.
Spina Bifida is a Latin word which means Split spine.
It is a birth defect condition that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth.
Spina Bifida is a type of Neural Tube Defect in which there is incomplete closing of the spine and the membranes around the spinal cord during early development in pregnancy.
When the neural tube doesn’t close all the way, the backbone that protects the spinal cord doesn’t form and close as it should. This often results in damage to the spinal cord and nerves.
Spina bifida might cause physical and intellectual disabilities that range from mild to severe.
The severity depends on:
- The size and location of the opening in the spine.
- Whether part of the spinal cord and nerves are affected.
Causes of spina bifida:
In a baby the neural tube is the structure that eventually develops into the baby’s brain and spinal cord.
The neural tube starts to form in early pregnancy and closes about 4 weeks after conception.
The cause of spina bifida is unknown, but a number of factors such as lacking of folic acid before and in the early stages of pregnancy is one of the significant risk factor which can increase the risk of a baby developing the condition.
The risks factor for Spina Bifida:
- Low or Insufficient folic acid intake during pregnancy
- Having a family member or family history of spina bifida
- Medicines–taking certain medicines such as valproic acid (used to prevent seizures) during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of having a baby with spina bifida
Some Common Types of Spina Bifida:
There are several different types of spina bifida, including:
- Myelomeningocele : When people talk about spina bifida, most often they are referring to myelomeningocele. Myelomeningocele is the most serious type of spina bifida in which a sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby’s back.Part of the spinal cord and nerves are in this sac and are damaged. It causes moderate to severe disabilities, such as problems affecting how the person goes to the bathroom, loss of feeling in the person’s legs or feet, and not being able to move the legs.
- Meningocele : Another serious type of spina bifida where the protective membranes around the spinal cord (meninges) push out through the spine; but, the spinal cord is not in the sac.
There is usually little or no nerve damage. This type of spina bifida can cause minor disabilities.
The spinal cord usually develops normally so surgery can often be used to remove the membranes without damaging the nerves.
- Spina bifida occulta : The most common and mildest type of spina bifida. It is sometimes called “hidden” spina bifida.
In this type, there is a small gap in the spine, but no opening or sac on the back.
One or more vertebrae does not form properly, but the gap in the spine is very small.The spinal cord and the nerves usually are normal. This type of spina bifida usually does not cause any problems or disabilities and most people are unaware they have it.
That’s why many times, spina bifida occulta is not discovered until late childhood or adulthood.
Diagnosis:
- During Pregnancy:
✔ AFP – AFP stands for alpha-fetoprotein, a protein the unborn baby produces.
By doing a simple blood test doctors measure how much AFP has passed into the mother’s bloodstream from the baby. A high level of AFP might mean that the baby has spina bifida. An AFP test might be part of a test called the “triple screen” that looks for neural tube defects and other issues.
- Ultrasound – Frequently, spina bifida can be seen with this test.
- Amniocentesis – In this test, the doctor takes a small sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby in the womb. Higher than average levels of AFP in the fluid might mean that the baby has spina bifida.
- After birth: The doctor probably will want to get X-rays of the baby’s body and do a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to detect or diagnose spina bifida.
Treatments for the symptoms or conditions associated with spina bifida include:
- Prenatal:
- Surgery before birth: Prenatal repair also requires a significant commitment on the part of the mother and her support person.
- Postnatal:
- Surgery soon after birth to close the opening in the spine and treat hydrocephalus.
- Therapies to help make day-to-day life easier and improve independence, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy.
- Assistive devices and mobility equipment, such as a wheelchair, or walking aids.
- Treatments for bowel and urinary problems.
With the right treatment and support, many children survive with spina bifida (this challenging condition) well
into adulthood and also are able to lead independent and fulfilling lives.
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Writer
Kulsuma Bahar Bethi
Content Writing Intern
YSSE