The exact cause of spina bifida remains a mystery. No one knows what disrupts
complete closure of the neural tube, causing a malformation to develop.
Scientists suspect genetic, nutritional,
and environmental factors play a role. Research studies indicate that
insufficient intake of folic acid - a common B vitamin - in the mother's diet is a
key factor in causing spina bifida and other neural tube defects.
Prenatal
vitamins that are prescribed for the pregnant
mother typically contain folic acid
as well as other vitamins.
What are the signs and symptoms of spina bifida?
The symptoms of spina bifida vary from person to person,
depending on the type. Often, individuals with occulta have no outward signs of
the disorder. Closed neural tube defects are often recognized early in life due
to an abnormal
tuft or clump of hair or a small dimple or birthmark on the skin
at the site of the spinal malformation.
Meningocele and myelomeningocele generally involve a fluid-filled sac—visible
on the back—protruding from the spinal cord. In meningocele, the sac may be
covered by a thin layer of skin, whereas in most cases of myelomeningocele,
there is no layer of skin covering the sac and a section of spinal cord tissue
usually is exposed.
What are the complications of spina bifida?
Complications of spina bifida can range from minor
physical problems to severe physical and mental disabilities. It is important to
note, however, that most people with spina bifida are of normal intelligence.
Severity is determined by the size and location of the malformation, whether or
not skin covers it, whether or not spinal nerves protrude from it, and which
spinal nerves are involved. Generally all nerves located below the malformation
are affected. Therefore, the higher the malformation occurs on the back, the
greater the amount of nerve damage and loss of muscle function and sensation.
In addition to loss of sensation and paralysis, another neurological
complication associated with spina bifida is Chiari II malformation—a rare
condition (but common in children with myelomeningocele) in which the brainstem
and the cerebellum, or rear
portion of the brain, protrude downward into the spinal canal or neck area. This
condition can lead to compression of the spinal cord and cause a variety of
symptoms including difficulties with feeding, swallowing, and breathing; choking; and arm stiffness.
Chiari II malformation may also result in a blockage of cerebrospinal fluid,
causing a condition called hydrocephalus, which is
an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Cerebrospinal fluid is
a clear liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. The buildup of fluid
puts damaging pressure on the brain. Hydrocephalus is commonly treated by
surgically implanting a shunt—a hollow tube—in the brain to drain the excess
fluid into the abdomen.
Some newborns with myelomeningocele may develop meningitis, an
infection in the meninges. Meningitis may cause brain injury and can be life-threatening.
Children with both myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus may have
learning
disabilities, including difficulty paying attention, problems with language and
reading comprehension, and trouble learning math.
Additional problems such as latex allergies, skin problems, gastrointestinal
conditions, and depression may occur as children with spina bifida get older.
There are many causes of back pain. Pain in the low back can relate to the bony lumbar spine, discs between the vertebrae, ligaments around the spine and discs, spinal cord and nerves, muscles of the low back, internal organs of the pelvis and abdomen, and the skin covering the lumbar area.
Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that results in the presence of an additional third chromosome 21, also referred to as trisomy 21. Most individuals with Down syndrome have widely recognizable physical characteristics. The severity of Down syndrome ranges from mild to severe. Diagnostic testing for Down syndrome include amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, and percutaneous umbilical cord sampling. The most common risk factor for Down syndrome is a woman's age.
Hydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the ventricles of the brain. The fluid is often under increased pressure and can compress and damage the brain. Symptoms of hydrocephalus vary with age, progression of the disease, and individual tolerance to the condition. Hydrocephalus is most often treated by surgery in which a shunt system is inserted.
Encephalitis is a brain inflammation that causes sudden fever, vomiting, headache, light sensitivity, stiff neck and back, drowsiness, and irritability. Meningitis is an infection that causes inflammation of the meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms of meningitis include high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck.
Alcohol intake by a pregnant mother may result in fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in her child. A child with FAS may be hyperactive and have a low IQ, a small head, a growth lag, short eye openings, flattened cheekbones, a short nose, a smooth, thin upper lip, shortening of the fourth and fifth fingers, and a heart murmur.
Learning disabilities can cause an individual to have trouble learning and using skills such as reading, listening, writing, reading, speaking, reasoning, and performing mathematics. There is no cure for learning disabilities. Parents and teachers working together to properly diagnose learning disabilities can properly plan a course of education. For some, medication may be appropriate as complimentary treatment.
Birthmarks and other abnormal skin pigmentation is caused by the body's inability to produce enough melanin. Abnormal skin pigmentation can cause conditions such as vitiligo, pigmentation loss, melasma, albinism, port wine stains, macular stains and hemangioma.
Genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Types of genetic inheritance include single inheritance (for example, cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome, and hemochromatosis), multifactoral inheritance, chromosome abnormalities (for example, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome), and mitochondrial inheritance (for example, epilepsy and dementia).
Birth defects have many causes and currently, are the leading cause of death for infants in the first year of life. Some of the causes of birth defects include genetic or chromosome problems. Exposure of the mother to rubella or German measles during pregnancy, or using drugs or alcohol during pregnancy. The treatment for birth defects depends upon the condition of the effected child.
Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy.
Gestational diabetes is a condition that is first recognized during pregnancy and is characterized by high blood sugar. Approximately 4% of all pregnancies are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Low blood sugar is prevented by hormones produced by the placenta during a woman's pregnancy. The actions of insulin are stopped by these hormones. Gestational diabetes is the result of the pancreas' s inability to produce enough insulin to overcome the effect of the increase hormones during pregnancy.
Urinary incontinence in children (enuresis) is twice as common in boys as in girls and may occur during the daytime or nighttime. Nighttime urinary incontinence is also called bedwetting and sleepwetting. The cause of nighttime incontinence in children is unknown. Daytime incontinence in children may be caused by an overactive bladder. Though many children overcome urinary incontinence naturally, it may be necessary to treat incontinence with medications, bladder training and moisture alarms, which wake the child when he or she begins to urinate.
Taking prescription medications or over-the-counter drugs or supplements should be discussed with your doctor. There are some medications that have been found to cause no problems in pregnancy, however, medications such as Accutane for acne, should never be taken during pregnancy.
Pregnancy can bring challenges like weight gain, stretch marks, varicose veins, heartburn, constipation, hemorrhoids, problems sleeping, and wondering if it is safe to have sex while pregnant. Learn how to manage and move through these challenges during pregnancy.
There are many syndromes and defects that may cause urine blockage in newborns. Defects in the urinary tract that may cause urine blockage include vesicoureteral reflux, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, bladder outlet obstruction, posterior urethral valves, nerve disease, and ureterocele. Syndromes that may cause urinary blockage include congenital heart defects, esophageal atresia, and prune belly syndrome. Treatment for urine blockage in newborns depends on the cause of the blockage.
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