Spinal Bifida Study

Spinal Bifida study has reveled that future mothers who has prenatal care or education from an certified physician have dramatically decrease pregnancy diseases. Education and prenatal care is the major factor in preventing possibly birth defects such as: “Spina Bifida.” Spina Bifida is a birth defect of the central nervous system (CNS). According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Spina Bifida, which literally means “cleft spine”, is characterized by the incomplete developments of the brain, spinal cord, and/ or meninges (the protective covering around the brain and spinal cord).” Spina Bifida is a latin word meaning spine and split. Anthropologists have made a number of discoveries revealing spines with defects

8. Can it be treated and how does the treatment works?

9. Can this disease be preventable?

The history of Spina Bifida goes back almost 12,000 years. Professor Nicholas Tulp from the 16th century has study this disease and its symptoms. He was the one who introduce the name “Spina Bifida.” There are three types of Spina Bifida defect are: Occulta, Meningocele, and Myelomeningocele. Spina Occulta is the mildest type of the disease. According to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, vertebrae are malformed but the spinal cord and its covering are undamaged. This kind of the disease does not have symptoms or disabilities. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of United States Citizen may have have this type of the disease, but are unaware of it. Abnormal turt of hair or, birthmark at the defect area. This could be a sign of this type of condition. Spina Bifida Occulta is a condition in which the bones of the spine do not close but the pineal cord and meninges remain in place and skin usually cover the defect ( Medline Plus). Meningocele is more severe “protrude from the spinal opening and form a fluid filled sac visible on a baby’s back” (Benioff Children;s Hospital, 2012). Some babies have

The only sign the baby may have of Spina Bifida is an abnormal tuft or clump hair or a small dimple or birthmark in the skin at the site of the spinal malformation (NIH). Spina Bifida have a few symptoms but it depends on which type and the intensity of the disease in the baby. Many of the symptoms the baby will experience are: loss of bladder or bowel control, partial or complete lack of sensation, partial or complete paralysis of the legs, weakness of the hips, legs, or feet of the newborn. Other symptoms can be: abnormal feet or legs, such as clubfoot and buildup of fluid inside the skull (Hydrocephalus). Spina Bifida can be diagnosed in three different ways such as: AFP test, ultrasound and amniocentesis. The prenatal testing can be done with the Alpha Fetoprotein (AFT) test. This test is performed during the first 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy (UCSF). Abnormal results may indicate a spinal cord defect, such a Spina Bifida. Another test that is used is the ultrasound (CT) which it is harnmlees, this test uses a high-frequency sound waves that creates images of the fetus. The Amniocentesis test is recommend by doctors for women who have test it for high levels of Alpha Fetoprotein that the ultrasound could not be explained. Prenatal screening can help diagnosed this condition. During the 2nd trimester, pregnant women can have a blood test called