Bowel and bladder function are controlled by nerves which come from the lowest levels of the spinal column. Therefore, almost all individuals with Spina Bifida will have trouble controlling their bowel and bladder function. Close attention to emptying the bladder, promptly treating urinary tract infections and maintaining kidney function is essential to preserving the health of individuals with Spina Bifida.
No, scoliosis and spina bifida are not the same. Scoliosis means your spine is crooked. Spina bifida is a birth defect in which the spine does not completely close during the first trimester of the baby's development in the womb, and the baby is born, in the most severe form of spina bifida, with part of the nerves of the spine and even part of the spinal cord itself, outside the body. It is possible to have both scoliosis and spina bifida at the same time, but they are two different conditions.
It depends on who the particular "you" is. For people who have no family history, the worldwide average is about 0.1 - 0.2%, but for those who do have a family history it can be as high as 3% without folic acid supplementation.
In the US, we recommend that all pregnant women, and all women who are considering getting pregnant, take 0.4 mg of folic acid per day. If the woman has a family history of spina bifida or other neural tube defects, we recommend she takes 4 mg per day. This has the effect of lowering the 3% down to 1%.
If they are unable to change their own, and if they wear diapers, you can. Not all adults with Spina Bifida wear diapers, and many who do are quite capable of changing them by themselves.
To understand the extent of the defect x rays, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine may be taken.
It depends on the level that the defect occurs. Also the type of spina bifida.
Physical therapy will be needed, surgery perhaps.
Myelomeningocele is a birth defect in which the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth. The condition is a type of spina bifida.
Alternative NamesSpina bifida; Cleft spine
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsNormally, during the first month of a pregnancy, the two sides of the spine (or backbone) join together to cover the spinal cord, spinal nerves and meninges (the tissues covering the spinal cord). Spina bifida refers to any birth defect involving incomplete closure of the spine.
Myelomeningocele is the most common type of spina bifida. It is a neural tube defect in which the bones of the spine do not completely form, resulting in an incomplete spinal canal. This causes the spinal cord and meninges (the tissues covering the spinal cord) to stick out of the child's back.
Myelomeningocele may affect as many as 1 out of every 800 infants.
The rest of spina bifida cases are most commonly:
Other congenital disorders or birth defects may also be present in a child with myelomeningocele. Hydrocephalus may affect as many as 90% of children with myelomeningocele. Other disorders of the spinal cord or musculoskeletal system may be seen, including syringomyelia and hip dislocation.
The cause of myelomeningocele is unknown. However, low levels of folic acid in a woman's body before and during early pregnancy is thought to play a part in this type of birth defect. The vitamin folic acid (or folate) is important for brain and spinal cord development.
Also, if a child is born with myelomeningocele, future children in that family have a higher risk than the general population. However, in many cases, there is no family connection.
Some theorize that a virus make play a role, since there is a higher rate of this condition in children born in the early winter months. Research also indicates possible environmental factors such as radiation.
SymptomsA newborn may have a sac sticking out of the mid to lower back. The doctor cannot see through the sac when shining a light behind it. Symptoms include:
Other symptoms may include:
Prenatal screening can help diagnose this condition. During the second trimester, pregnant women can have a blood test called the quadruple screen. This test screens for myelomeningocele, Down syndrome, and other congenital diseases in the baby. Most women carrying a baby with spina bifida will have a higher-than-normal levels of a protein called maternal alpha fetoprotein (AFP).
If the quadruple screen test is positive, further testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis. Such tests may include:
Myelomeningocele can be seen after the child is born. A neurologic examination may show that the child has loss of nerve-related functions below the defect. For example, watching how the infant responds to pinpricks at various locations may reveal where he or she can feel the sensations.
Tests done on the baby after birth may include x-rays, ultrasound, CT, or MRI of the spinal area.
TreatmentGenetic counseling may be recommended. In some cases where severe defect is detected early in the pregnancy, a therapeutic abortion may be considered.
After birth, surgery to repair the defect is usually recommended at an early age. Before surgery, the infant must be handled carefully to reduce damage to the exposed spinal cord. This may include special care and positioning, protective devices, and changes in the methods of handling, feeding, and bathing.
Children who also have hydrocephalus may need a ventricular peritoneal shunt placed. This will help drain the extra fluid.
Antibiotics may be used to treat or prevent infections such as meningitis or urinary tract infections.
Most children will require lifelong treatment for problems that result from damage to the spinal cord and spinal nerves. This includes:
Follow-up examinations generally continue throughout the child's life. These are done to check the child's developmental level and to treat any intellectual, neurological, or physical problems.
Visiting nurses, social services, support groups, and local agencies can provide emotional support and assist with the care of a child with a myelomeningocele who has significant problems or limitations.
Support GroupsExpectations (prognosis)A myelomeningocele can usually be surgically corrected. With treatment, length of life is not severely affected. Neurological damage is often irreversible.
New problems within the spinal cord can develop later in life, especially after the child begins growing rapidly during puberty. This can lead to more loss of function as well as orthopedic problems such as scoliosis, foot or ankle deformities, dislocated hips, and joint tightness or contractures.
Many patients with myelomeningocele primarily use a wheelchair.
ComplicationsThis list may not be all inclusive.
Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if:
Folic acid supplements may help reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as myelomeningocele. It is recommended that any woman considering becoming pregnant take 0.4 mg of folic acid a day. Pregnant women need 1 mg per day.
It is important to remember that folic acid deficiencies must be corrected before becoming pregnant as the defects develop very early.
Prospective mothers may be screened to determine the amount of folic acid in their blood.
ReferencesKinsman SL, Johnston MV. Congenital anomalies of the central nervous system. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 592.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 03/15/2011
A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz. Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine (11/2/2009).
The vitamin known to help prevent neural tube defects is folic acid, also called Vitamin B9 or folate. Foods rich in folate include the following:
Please see the Related link below for more information.
Spina bifida doesn't follow a strict inheritance pattern, but hereditary factors do play some role, though it is not completely understood yet.
Mothers who have had one child with spina bifida have a 3-4% chance of their next child having spina bifida, while the general population only has a 0.1-0.2% chance. In the case a pregnant woman has a family history of spina bifida, it is recommended that they take a higher dose of folic acid than other pregnant women. Here again, folic acid plays a role in preventing neural tube defects (like spina bifida), but the mechanism is not well understood.
Also, for an unknown reason, it is more prevalent in female children than in male children.
Yes, it is possible at least sometimes to see the defect during an ultrasound.
Yes, it is one of the three types of spina bifida. There is a sac like structure from the spine which contains cerebral spinal fluid and the membranes from around the cord called meninges plus the cord itself and nerves.
Anencephaly is when a baby is born with a small or missing brain. Spina Bifida is a birth defect which causes a baby to be born with a hole in the back and/or missing bones (called "spinous processes") in the spine, and the spinal cord and nerves may be seen through a hole in the back or sticking out of the back. It does not cause a small or missing brain.
Spina Bifida is not usually abbreviated, but it can be abbreviated "SB" if necessary. But since that abbreviation is not normally used, it might not be recognized by others. It may be best just to spell it out, for recognizability.
From the Related link below:
They can, but they don't always. Generally they may have hydrocephalus (water on the brain), which can cause brain damage if not treated in a timely manner. But if it is treated soon enough, there may be little to no brain damage. Some people with Spina Bifida have learning disabilities.
Because the first 10-12 weeks are the developmental stages, without some things your baby will not continue to grow correctly. Ask your doctor for more information. At this stage it's really important that you not breathe in any harmful toxic chemicals.
Spina Bifida can affect the family, because the person that has it is most likely going to have a shorter life span. It also might affect them because they have to take care of the person, and watch them be disabled.
Spina Bifida no longer is necessarily going to affect the lifespan. There are treatments for it now that can give the person a normal lifespan. They may need help in some ways from the family, but if they are cared for by themselves and/or family as well as physicians properly, they should have a normal lifespan.
Various symptoms include differences in muscle tone. Muscles can be too stiff and rigid or difficult to control. This can lead to tremors, difficulty with eating and speech, drooling. There can also be exaggerated or delayed reflexes.
You can't, women do not produce sperm at all, only ovary gametes.
I have a feeling you mean orgasm and not erect. If the woman is sexually aroused the clitoris would be erect but she does not need to be sexually aroused or have an orgasm to get pregnant. Even raped women get pregnant.
There is no means of definitely preventing Spina Bifida, however taking folic acid leading up to and throughout the pregnancy can assist in normal growth of the spinal cord and is therefore a good preventative measure to take. There is about a 0.1-0.2% chance an infant will be diagnosed with Spina Bifida, and not all cases are serious.
Folic acid (supplement for the mother) is considered to be a GOOD thing early on in pregnancy. Doctors may recommend it be taken even before conception if you are actively trying for a child.
Overdose - because folic acid is water soluble excess should be easily removed by the body (provided you are not dehydrated).
Recommended level varies between countries; from 0.4mg to 5mg daily but the generally accepted level of 1mg seems to carry most medical favor.
General - folic acid is a B-complex vitamin needed to form healthy cells, especially red blood cells, and can be taken by anyone at any age. It is found (naturally) in leafy greens and other veg, meats (liver, kidney), and citrus fruit.
Warning - Some herbal products, anti malaria, antibiotics or anti-seizure drugs may not respond as they should when taking this as a supplement.
Yes. A congenital defect is one the baby is born with, so spina bifida is a congenital defect.
Meningocele is a type of spina bifida, where the spinal cord has developed normally but the meninges (membranes covering the spinal cord) protrude from a spinal opening. Symptoms of menigocele can vary, with some people having few or no symptoms similar to spina bifida, and other people having partial paralysis.
Meningocele is a type of spina bifida, where the spinal cord has developed normally but the meninges (membranes covering the spinal cord) protrude from a spinal opening. Symptoms of menigocele can vary, with some people having few or no symptoms similar to spina bifida, and other people having partial paralysis.