Spina Bifida
Sondra Sparks
What is Spina Bifida?
- Birth defect called neural tube defects
- Condition that affects the spine
- Usually apparent at birth
- Can happen anywhere along the spine
- The backbone that protects the spinal cord does not form
- Results to damage to the spinal cord and nerves
- 3 types of spina bifida
- Myelomeningocele
- Mengicele
- Spina bifida occulta
Testing/Treatment
- Can be diagnosed during pregnancy, Spina bifida might not be diagnosed until late childhood or adulthood
- Alpha Fetoprotein(AFP)- Blood test to measure how much AFP has passed a mothers blood stream
- Ultrasound-Type of picture of baby, doctor's can see if the baby has spina bifida
- Amniocentesis- Doctor takes small sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby
Causes/Complications
- The role that factors, such as genes and the environment, play causing spina bifida need to be studied further.
- Complications may include
- Physical and neurological problems
- Accumulation of fluid in the brain(hydrocephalus)
- Infection in the tissues surrounding the brain(menigitis)
Preventions
- If pregnant or could get pregnant, Take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day
- Talk to your doctor about any prescriptions
- If you have a medical condition-be sure to have it under control
- Avoid overheating you body
- Treat any fever you have right away
Work cited
- Website Title: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Article Title: Facts
- Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Electronically Published: April 28, 2015
- Date Accessed: October 14, 2015
- Website Title: - Mayo Clinic
- Article Title: Spina bifida
- Date Accessed: October 14, 2015