Spina Bifida

FACTS:

Spina Bifida is the most common birth defect. Many cases of spina bifida may be prevented by childbearing women taking vitamins containing folic acid before and during pregnancy.
A child born with spina bifida has an opening in the spine as a result of the spinal column not closing completely during the first month of pregnancy There are three types of Spina Bifida.

Occulta the mildest form, involves an opening into the vertebrae without a protrusion of the spinal cord or meninges. Many people do not know they have this. There may be a large mold or patch of hair or a deep dimple on the skin along the spine.
In the Meningocele type, the spinal cord has developed normally, but when the child is born there is a sac protruding from a hole in the vertebrae and out of the back. It is important to have surgery early as the sac may break and infection and nerve damage may occur. Often this form of spina bifida does not present any problems once the back is closed.
In Myelomeningocele(Meningomyelocele) the most common and the most serious, the protruding sac contains tissue, spinal fluid, nerves and part of the spinal cord. The spinal cord is damaged or not properly developed. There is always some degree of paralysis and loss of sensation below the damaged vertebrae. The amount of disability depends on where the spina bifida is and the amount of nerve damage involved. Many children have problems with bowel and bladder control and may require catheterizing. However, a child can learn to catheterize themselves, often by age 6. Also, they may need a walker or wheel chair depending on the level of paralysis.

Most children with spina bifida/ hydrocephalus can live normal lives. Some children with spina bifida have problems suchs as curvatures in the back, hip dislocation, ankle and foot deformities and contracted muscles. Some children may break their bones easily since their bones may be weaker than normal.
Most children with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus have normal intelligence.
73% kids with spina-bifida have an allergy to latex.

TREATMENT:

All children with spina-bifida should be evaluated by a neurosurgeon, pediatric urologist and pediatric orthopedist.
It is important to prevent infection and to protect the spinal cord and nerves that are exposed outside of the body.
Babies born with a meningocele or a myelomeningocele need surgery to close the defect. Early surgery is important to prevent a loss of function due to damaged nerves.
Placement of a shunt to drain fluid off the brain may be required for those children with the more severe form of myelomenigocele who have hydrocephalus.
Not all babies will require surgical repair of spina bifida. Other treatment involves physical therapy to prevent or treat deformities and assist function. Positioning aids in chairs and beds, such as pillows and cushions and specially made equipment, will help the child lie, sit, or stand. Braces or splints are used to prevent deformities, and promote support and protection from damage.
Some children who have had the repair surgery may develop tethered cord (the scar tissue can keep the cord from moving freely as it normally would). The child will need evaluation and regular follow up with a neurologist to assess for problems like a tethered cord.

adoptspecialneeds.org