Spina BifidaBy Jessica Pitch, Louisa Oualim, and

Sean Overa

Spina Bifida is a developmental congenital disorder when the embryonic neural tube does not close completely.

Definition

Excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain

High chance of allergy of latex, medium to lethal (73%)

Birthmark, dimple, or hairy patch may form over defect in mild cases

Fluid swelling in severe cases over the defect in the spine

In most severe cases nerves and spinal tissues appear out of back

Symptoms

Spina Bifida Occulta: The outer part of some of the vertebrae is not completely

closed. The split in the vertebrae is so small that the spinal cord does not protrude. The skin at the site of the lesion may be normal, or it may have some hair growing from it; there may be a dimple in the skin, or a birthmark.

Spina Bifida Cystica: In spina bifida cystica, a cyst protrudes through the defect

in the vertebral arch Spina bifida cystica may result in hydrocephalus and

neurological deficits.

Types

Meningocele In a posterior meningocele, the vertebrae develop normally, however the

meninges are forced into the gaps between the vertebrae. A meningocele may also form through dehiscences in the base of skull.

These may be classified by their localisation to occipital, frontoethmoidal, or nasal.

Types (Cont.)

Myelomeningocele Un-fused portion of the spinal column allows

the spinal cord to protrude through an opening. The meningeal membranes that cover the spinal cord form a sac enclosing the spinal elements.

Spina bifida with myeloschisis is the most severe form of spina bifida cystica. In this defect, the involved area is represented by a flattened, plate-like mass of nervous tissue with no overlying membrane. The exposure of these nerves and tissues make the baby more prone to life-threatening infections

Surgery to either remove or fix the area effected by Spina Bifida

Prenatal surgery, fixing spina bifida before the baby is born

Neonatal surgery (new baby surgery), fixes the spinal area directly after a C-Section

Installing a drainage tube into the brain to remove excess fluid

Surgery to detach spinal cord from other bones and immovable parts of the body, called tethered spinal cord

Assistive structures such as braces, crutches, or wheel chairs to aid in movement

To help control bladder, and bowel problems as well as paralysis issues, doctors will begin using physical therapy to help child prepare for crutches or braces.

Treatments

The causes are not known exactly but could be related to genetics

If the pregnant mother takes in an insufficient amount of folic acid, the child can have neural tube defects like Spina Bifida

Teenage pregnancy is another cause People of lower socioeconomic status

can have children with this defect because of poor nutrition and lack of essential vitamins and minerals.

Causes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spina_bifida Schoenstadt, Arthur. "Spina Bifida." MedTV.

2008. Web. 01 June 2011. <http://nervous- system.emedtv.com/spina-bifida/spina- bifida.html>.

Bibliography