Spina Bifida Research Paper

The neurological disorders that I will be discussing this week are Spina Bifida and Down Syndrome. Spina Bifida is a neurological disorder that occur while a baby is still in it’s mother’s womb. The spinal column does not fuse together all the way and the spinal chord and nerves come through the open part of the spine.
There are several different forms of Spina Bifida. 1) Spina Bifida Cystica\Myelomeningocele is the most severe form and leads to nerve damage and other disabilities. Infants born with this type of spina bifida usually have an excessive amount of fluid on their brains. This occurs because the fluid that protects the brain and the spinal chord in unable to drain properly. The fluid builds up causing pressure and swelling.2) Spina Bifida Occulta usually does cause harm and most people are unaware that they have the illness. 3) The last type of Spina Bifida is Meningocele occurs when a part of the spine chord is protruding though the spine. There is usually no nerve damage and may lead to minor disabilities.
The severity of Spina Bifida depends on what treatment options parents should consider. An infant born with Meningomyelocele should have surgery within the first couple of days after birth. Infants born with Meningocele may have surgery but often it is not required. Spina Bifida Occulta
1)A blood test,Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), during the 16th to 18th weeks of pregnancy can help determine whether an infant will be born with spina bifida. 2) Another way to determine spina bifida is to have an ultrasound completed, An ultrasound of the feus may show if he baby has an open spine. 3) The third test for spina bifida is for the mother to have a test called an amniocentesis completed. During this procedure the doctor inserts a needle into womb and withdrawa a small amount of fluid to check the protein level. The level of protein will confirm if the baby will be born with spina bifida or