Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States. It is a birth defect in which a developing baby's spinal cord fails to develop properly. The term Spina bifida comes from Latin and means "split" or "open" spine. This disorder occurs when the fetus is growing in the womb and its spine doesn’t form correctly. Some of the vertebrae don’t close to make their normal ring shapes around the spinal cord. This defect happens at the end of the first month of pregnancy, when a baby's spine and spinal cord are developing. Causes of Spina Bifida Causes that cause this disorder are low levels of the vitamin folic acid during pregnancy. Not having enough folic acid in the diet before and during early pregnancy can increase a woman's risk of Spina bifida and possibility of other neural tube defects. A high fever during pregnancy may increase a woman's chance of having a baby with Spina bifida. Some evidence suggests that genes may be a cause of Spina Bifida, but most babies born with Spina bifida have no family history of the condition. Also, women with epilepsy …show more content…
It is the mildest form resulting in a small separation or gap in one or more vertebrae’s of the spine. This type no signs or symptoms and experience no neurological problems. However, visible indications of Spina bifida occulta can sometimes be seen on the newborn's skin above the spinal defect, including an abnormal tuft of hair, a collection of fat and a small dimple or birthmark. Many people who have Spina bifida occulta are unaware, unless the condition is discovered during an X-ray or other imaging test done for other unrelated reasons.
Second type of SB is Meningocele. It is a rare form, which protective membranes around the meninges push out through the opening in the vertebrae. Because the spinal cord develops normally, these membranes can be removed by surgery with little or no damage to the nerve
...can see if this condition runs in the family. A physical examination is a good way to tell is there is any type of muscle weakness or spinal curvature.
Scoliosis is found and diagnosed in many ways. Some ways it is found is looking at medical history, having physical examinations, and X-rays. Most cases are unknown, or caused by already diagnosed medical conditions like cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. Also another kind is idiopathic scoliosis. Idiopathic scoliosis is also unknown why people get it. Medical
The car accident could damage ones spinal cord if it was crushed or hit hard enough. If the spinal cord is severed, the peripheral nerves may detach from the spinal cord. Detachment may lead to pressure applied by other organs or bones. The wreck may cause broken bones that would compress the spi...
Peterson-Iyer, Karen. "Confronting a Fetal Abnormality." http://www.scu.edu. Santa Clara University, Jan. 2008. Web. 13 Mar. 2014. .
During fetal growth, the neural tube can develop any number of abnormalities. These “malformations occur because the tube fails to close properly, because parts of it are missing, or because part of the tube is blocked” (neural tube defect, 2014). Ramírez-Altamirano et al. (2012) have stated that “the most common types of neural tube defect are anencephaly, spina bifida, and encephalocele, all of which represent 95% of the cases.” Anencephaly is the most severe form of neural tube defect. In this condition the cephalic portion of the neural tube fails to close properly, resulting in very little cerebral tissue forming. Infants born with this defect are usually stillborn or live for a very short amount of time. Spina bifida consists of “a group of malformations of the spine in which the posterior portion of the bony canal containing the spinal cord is completely or partially absent” (Frazier & Drzymkowski, 2013, p. 63). This condition typically affects the lumbar portion of the neural tube, a...
There are many disabilities that affect the Musculoskeletal System. One disability is Spina Bifida, which is a series of spinal cord defects caused by abnormal fetal development. We don’t know all the causes of spina bifida. Genetics and the environment may play a role in causing spina bifida. Spina bifida can range from mild to extreme. Some people may have little to no disability while others people may be limited in the way they move. Some people may even be paralyzed or unable to walk or move parts of their body. Although, most people affected by spina bifida lead full and productive lives. There are three types which include myelomeningocele, occulta, and meningocele. Depending on the classification there will be different characteristics and symptoms. It may be treated in different setting, with different potential treatment ideas.
Neural tube defects occur in every 2,000 births. Two common forms of neural tube defects are spina bifida, in which the spinal cord isn't completely enclosed, and anencephaly where part of the brain is absent Spina bifida may be mild or severe. Treatment include excersise and physhichal therapy or corrective surgery.
The purpose of this study is to analyze the preventative effects of folic acid supplementation during preconception and pregnancy in women. Folic acid supplementation is a standard recommendation among a variety of vitamins and minerals during preconception and is said to prevent congenital defects, primarily neural tube defects in children. However, various studies suggest that folic acid supplementation is not directly correlated with the prevention of neural tube defects, but other factors such as socioeconomic status, healthcare, and education come into play (Banhidy, 2011). The use of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects is widely accepted and recommended by health professionals and researchers alike; delving deeper into this practice would be helpful in determining its effectiveness. The use of FA in early pregnancy and its association with 70% reduction risk of NTDs was studied. Faucher (2013) found that high maternal education level and low BMI lowers the risk of NTDs. Many research articles urge the use of folic acid supplementation during preconception in women because it was found that its use prevents the risk of NTDs. Researchers also suggest that folate has had a beneficial role in pregnant women and implies that it prevents the risk of NTDs in expectant mothers (Stamm & Houghton, 2013). FA supplementation and promotion towards mothers from healthcare professionals are also significant factors in NTD risk prevention (Tort, et. al, 2013). However, correlation does not imply causation and that some findings cannot establish causality (Berry, 2013). The goal of this research is to analyze the effects of folic acid and the research that contradicts its assumed preventative effects.
Though once the injury has occurred it will not progress to a worse state. Unfortunately there currently isn't any form of cure though treatments will be covered later on. Some of the most prominent causes for CP are infections during pregnancy such as, rubella (a form of measles), and Cytomegalovirus (a herpes virus that causes cellular enlargement) causing damage to the developing nervous system. Also an untreated case of jaundice (yellowish pigment of the skin, tissues, and body fluids caused by the presence of excess bile), other situations leading to jaundice and the jeopardy of your child are, Rhincompatibility, along with kidney or urinary tract infections. You also have the possibility of negligence on the mothers' part if the cause can be linked to toxicity (the use of drugs or alcohol during pregnancy).
Werler M, Shapiro S, Mitchell A.(1993) Periconceptional folic acid exposure and risk of occurrent neural tube defects. JAMA. ;269:1257
Obvious signs include crooked spine while bending over, fatigue, shortness of breath, uneven hemline on shirts, and an asymmetrical waistline. Less obvious signs must be detected by health professionals through early screening, or diagnosed by your physician during a comprehensive physical exam.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a pattern of birth defects caused by maternal consumption of alcohol during pregnancy. Children born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome tend to have physical abnormalities such as deformed facial characteristics. They are generally born with a variety of emotional and/or intellectual limitations. It is very common for these children to be born with mild to severe forms of mental retardation (Harvard Mental Health, 2004, p. 1). Children that were exposed to alcohol while in the womb of the mother can suffer from an assortment of physical and intellectual impairments in their future.
If the spine is normal then the issue is part of the child growing or a different issue that is causing enough pain to warent a trip to the doctors. If the angle is off however then it will be diagnosed as Scoliosis, Lordosis or Kyphosis respectively.
Soe, M. M. (2012). Health risk behaviors among young adults with spina bifida. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 1057–1064.
Create a thread on the discussion board (Module 1 Simulation Activity) and answer the following questions in your post.