Spina Bifida Research Paper
Spina Bifida
VNSG 1330-001
Instructor:
June 14, 2014
St. Philip’s College
When the spine has not completely developed in the womb, it is referred to as spina bifida (split spine). There are two types of spina bifida: spina bifida occulta and spina bifida cystica. Spina bifida occurs during “the end of the first month of pregnancy when the two sides of the embryo’s spine fails to join together, leaving an open area”; this is a neural tube defect (Kids Health). This is usually noticed before the birth the baby and is treated right away. No one knows the true cause of this condition. Scientists believe that genetics and environmental factors could play a role. It is considered the most common birth defect in the United …show more content…
This form does not cause any visible signs or health problems and can go undetected. Ten to twenty percent of healthy people have it and don’t realize it. It’s usually discovered when a person gets an x-ray of their back for another reason, unrelated to this condition. A small percentage of people will have pain and neuromuscular problems. These symptoms could be “progressive disturbances of gait, such as footdrop, or disturbances of bowel and bladder sphincter function” (Leifer). There may also be a dimple or small patch of hair on the lower …show more content…
There are two variations of this defect: meningocele and meningomyelocele. Meningocele causes a portion of the spinal cord to push through the spine which forms a sac and is noticeable on the back. The sac is filled with nerve fluid but there is usually no nerve damage. In most cases, people live with few symptoms and sometimes none at all but in others it can cause “incomplete paralysis with bladder and bowel dysfunction” (NIH). Meningomyelocele is the most severe form of spina bifida. The meninges and the spinal cord push through the opening in the spine which causes nerve damage and additional disabilities. “Seventy to ninety percent of children with this condition also have too much fluid on their brains” (SBA). The fluid from the brain and spinal cord are unable to drain like normal and can lead to swelling and pressure that can cause permanent brain damage. Even though the cause of spina bifida is unknown, some believe that the use of drugs and poor nutrition during the early stages of pregnancy can contribute to this defect. It is recommended “that all women of childbearing age take a daily multivitamin that contains 0.4 mg of folic acid and continue the intake of folic acid until the 12th week of pregnancy, when basic neural tube development is completed” (Leifer). Women need to be educated on the importance of taking folic acid before and during
VNSG 1330-001
Instructor:
June 14, 2014
St. Philip’s College
When the spine has not completely developed in the womb, it is referred to as spina bifida (split spine). There are two types of spina bifida: spina bifida occulta and spina bifida cystica. Spina bifida occurs during “the end of the first month of pregnancy when the two sides of the embryo’s spine fails to join together, leaving an open area”; this is a neural tube defect (Kids Health). This is usually noticed before the birth the baby and is treated right away. No one knows the true cause of this condition. Scientists believe that genetics and environmental factors could play a role. It is considered the most common birth defect in the United …show more content…
This form does not cause any visible signs or health problems and can go undetected. Ten to twenty percent of healthy people have it and don’t realize it. It’s usually discovered when a person gets an x-ray of their back for another reason, unrelated to this condition. A small percentage of people will have pain and neuromuscular problems. These symptoms could be “progressive disturbances of gait, such as footdrop, or disturbances of bowel and bladder sphincter function” (Leifer). There may also be a dimple or small patch of hair on the lower …show more content…
There are two variations of this defect: meningocele and meningomyelocele. Meningocele causes a portion of the spinal cord to push through the spine which forms a sac and is noticeable on the back. The sac is filled with nerve fluid but there is usually no nerve damage. In most cases, people live with few symptoms and sometimes none at all but in others it can cause “incomplete paralysis with bladder and bowel dysfunction” (NIH). Meningomyelocele is the most severe form of spina bifida. The meninges and the spinal cord push through the opening in the spine which causes nerve damage and additional disabilities. “Seventy to ninety percent of children with this condition also have too much fluid on their brains” (SBA). The fluid from the brain and spinal cord are unable to drain like normal and can lead to swelling and pressure that can cause permanent brain damage. Even though the cause of spina bifida is unknown, some believe that the use of drugs and poor nutrition during the early stages of pregnancy can contribute to this defect. It is recommended “that all women of childbearing age take a daily multivitamin that contains 0.4 mg of folic acid and continue the intake of folic acid until the 12th week of pregnancy, when basic neural tube development is completed” (Leifer). Women need to be educated on the importance of taking folic acid before and during