Essay On Spina Bifida
Spina Bifida
Definition:
Spina bifida, means “cleft spine”. It is characterized by the partial development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or meninges (the protective covering around the brain and spinal cord). Spina bifida comes from Latin and literally means "split" or "open" spine. Spina bifida occurs at the end of the first month of pregnancy when the two sides of the embryo's spine fail to join together, leaving an open area. In some cases, the spinal cord or other membranes may push through this opening in the back. The condition usually is detected before a baby is born and treated right away.
Incidence:
Considered one of the most common neural tube defect in the United States, spina bifida affects 1,500 to 2,000 of the more than 4 million babies born in the country each year. There are approximately 40% of all Americans that may have spina bifida occulta, but may experience no symptoms and therefore are unaware. The other two types of spina bifida, meningocele and …show more content…
myelomeningocele, are known collectively as "spina bifida manifesta," and occur in approximately one out of every thousand births. Of these 1000 one thousand births, 4% are considered to have "spina bifida manifesta," meningocele and 96% are considered to have 96% have myelomeningocele.
Etiology:
It is unknown what causes spina bifida.
Researchers hypothesize that genes may be a factor, but in most cases there is no familial connection. A high fever during pregnancy may increase a woman's chances of having a baby with spina bifida. The drug valproic acid, when used by pregnant mothers to control seizures may cause an increased risk of having a baby with spina bifida.
The exact cause of spina bifida remains unknown. No one knows what disrupts complete closure of the neural tube, causing a malformation to develop. Many leading 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. It is of utmost importance that prenatal care includes prenatal vitamins that are prescribed for the pregnant mother and should typically contain folic acid as well as other
vitamins
Women who have had one child with spina bifida are more likely to have another child with the disease. Obesity and diabetes increase the chance of having a child with spina bifida.
Types and Characteristics:
There are four types of spina bifida: occulta, closed neural tube defects, meningocele, and myelomeningocele.
The most common form in which one or more vertebrae are malformed is occulta. The name “occulta,” means, “hidden,” and indicates that a layer of skin covers the malformation, or opening in the spine. This form of spina bifida is mild and rarely causes disability or symptoms.
The second type of spina bifida is closed neural tube defects. This type consists of a various groups of spinal defects in which the spinal cord is marked by a malformation of fat, bone, or membranes. In some patients there are few or no symptoms; in others the malformation causes incomplete paralysis with urinary and bowel dysfunction.
In the third type, meningocele, the meninges protrude from the spinal opening, and the malformation may or may not be covered by a layer of skin. Some patients with meningocele may have few or no symptoms while others may experience symptoms similar to closed neural tube defects.
The fourth type, myelomeningocele, is the most severe and occurs when the spinal cord is exposed through the opening in the spine, resulting in partial or complete paralysis of the parts of the body below the spinal opening. The paralysis may be so severe that the affected individual is unable to walk and may have urinary and bowel dysfunction.
Associated Disorders:
Some disorders associated with Spina Bifida might include, Paralysis and hydrocephalus. With Paralysis, it depends on whether the spinal cord is exposed (where the sac protrudes). It is also possible for a person with spina bifida to have partial to complete paralysis. The higher the opening in the back, the more severe the paralysis can be.
Hydrocephalus occurs when there is a buildup of the cerebrospinal fluid, a fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord. It typically affects about 70-90% of those with spina bifida myelomeningocele. Spinal cord defects can block the flow of spinal fluid, causing them not to drain properly. This results in an enlarged head and, if left untreated, may lead to mental problems. A child with hydrocephalus should see a brain surgeon every 1-2 years. Hydrocephalus can be treated surgically by placing a shunt, or hollow tube, into the brain so that extra fluid may drain into the abdomen.
Prevention:
Folic acid is an important vitamin in the development of a healthy fetus. Folic acid and vitamins are not guaranteed to prevent Spina Bifida; however, studies have shown that they can help. Recent studies have shown that by adding folic acid to their diets, women of childbearing age significantly reduce the risk of having a child with a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida. Doctors recommend women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Foods high in folic acid include dark green vegetables, egg yolks, and some fruits. Many foods—such as some breakfast cereals, enriched breads, flours, pastas, rice, and other grain products—are now fortified with folic acid. A lot of multivitamins contain the recommended dosage of folic acid as well.
Those who have a greater risk of having a child with spina bifida or another neural tube defect are women who have a child with spina bifida, have spina bifida themselves, or have already had a pregnancy affected by any neural tube defect. These women may require more folic acid before they become pregnant
Education Implications:
Children with spina bifida can lead relatively active lives. Prognosis depends on the number and severity of abnormalities and associated complications. Most children with the disorder have normal intelligence and can walk, usually with assistive devices. If learning problems develop, early educational intervention is helpful.
Although spina bifida is relatively common, until recently most children born with a myelomeningocele died shortly after birth. Now that surgery to drain spinal fluid and protect children against hydrocephalus can be performed in the first 48 hours of life, children with myelomeningocele are much more likely to live. Most children with Spina Bifida must undergo numerous surgeries. School programs should be flexible to accommodate these special needs. Many children with myelomeningocele must learn to control bladder and bowel control. Some children even require catheterization.
As related services, some children need intermittent catheterization to help the child benefit from and have access to special education and related services. Many children learn to catheterize themselves at a very early age. A successful bladder management program can be incorporated into the regular school day in some cases, children with spina bifida who also have a history of hydrocephalus experience learning problems. Children with spina bifida may have trouble with attention, expressing or understanding language, and attaining reading and math skills. Early intervention with children who experience learning problems can help to prepare them for school.
Mainstreaming, or successful integration of a child with spina bifida into a school attended by nondisabled young people, sometimes requires changes in school equipment or the curriculum. The student’s placement is determined in the IEP meeting and is considered to be the least restrictive environment. The student’s day-to-day activities should be as "normal" as possible. In adapting the school setting for the child with spina bifida, architectural factors should be considered. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that programs receiving federal funds make their facilities accessible.
Children with myelomeningocele need to learn mobility skills, and often require the aid of crutches, braces, or wheelchairs. It is imperative that all school members and the parents understand the child's physical capabilities and limitations. Physical disabilities like spina bifida can have overwhelming effects on a child’s development. Children should be encouraged to be independent and to participate in activities with their nondisabled classmates to help develop social skills and social growth.
Definition:
Spina bifida, means “cleft spine”. It is characterized by the partial development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or meninges (the protective covering around the brain and spinal cord). Spina bifida comes from Latin and literally means "split" or "open" spine. Spina bifida occurs at the end of the first month of pregnancy when the two sides of the embryo's spine fail to join together, leaving an open area. In some cases, the spinal cord or other membranes may push through this opening in the back. The condition usually is detected before a baby is born and treated right away.
Incidence:
Considered one of the most common neural tube defect in the United States, spina bifida affects 1,500 to 2,000 of the more than 4 million babies born in the country each year. There are approximately 40% of all Americans that may have spina bifida occulta, but may experience no symptoms and therefore are unaware. The other two types of spina bifida, meningocele and …show more content…
myelomeningocele, are known collectively as "spina bifida manifesta," and occur in approximately one out of every thousand births. Of these 1000 one thousand births, 4% are considered to have "spina bifida manifesta," meningocele and 96% are considered to have 96% have myelomeningocele.
Etiology:
It is unknown what causes spina bifida.
Researchers hypothesize that genes may be a factor, but in most cases there is no familial connection. A high fever during pregnancy may increase a woman's chances of having a baby with spina bifida. The drug valproic acid, when used by pregnant mothers to control seizures may cause an increased risk of having a baby with spina bifida.
The exact cause of spina bifida remains unknown. No one knows what disrupts complete closure of the neural tube, causing a malformation to develop. Many leading 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. It is of utmost importance that prenatal care includes prenatal vitamins that are prescribed for the pregnant mother and should typically contain folic acid as well as other
vitamins
Women who have had one child with spina bifida are more likely to have another child with the disease. Obesity and diabetes increase the chance of having a child with spina bifida.
Types and Characteristics:
There are four types of spina bifida: occulta, closed neural tube defects, meningocele, and myelomeningocele.
The most common form in which one or more vertebrae are malformed is occulta. The name “occulta,” means, “hidden,” and indicates that a layer of skin covers the malformation, or opening in the spine. This form of spina bifida is mild and rarely causes disability or symptoms.
The second type of spina bifida is closed neural tube defects. This type consists of a various groups of spinal defects in which the spinal cord is marked by a malformation of fat, bone, or membranes. In some patients there are few or no symptoms; in others the malformation causes incomplete paralysis with urinary and bowel dysfunction.
In the third type, meningocele, the meninges protrude from the spinal opening, and the malformation may or may not be covered by a layer of skin. Some patients with meningocele may have few or no symptoms while others may experience symptoms similar to closed neural tube defects.
The fourth type, myelomeningocele, is the most severe and occurs when the spinal cord is exposed through the opening in the spine, resulting in partial or complete paralysis of the parts of the body below the spinal opening. The paralysis may be so severe that the affected individual is unable to walk and may have urinary and bowel dysfunction.
Associated Disorders:
Some disorders associated with Spina Bifida might include, Paralysis and hydrocephalus. With Paralysis, it depends on whether the spinal cord is exposed (where the sac protrudes). It is also possible for a person with spina bifida to have partial to complete paralysis. The higher the opening in the back, the more severe the paralysis can be.
Hydrocephalus occurs when there is a buildup of the cerebrospinal fluid, a fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord. It typically affects about 70-90% of those with spina bifida myelomeningocele. Spinal cord defects can block the flow of spinal fluid, causing them not to drain properly. This results in an enlarged head and, if left untreated, may lead to mental problems. A child with hydrocephalus should see a brain surgeon every 1-2 years. Hydrocephalus can be treated surgically by placing a shunt, or hollow tube, into the brain so that extra fluid may drain into the abdomen.
Prevention:
Folic acid is an important vitamin in the development of a healthy fetus. Folic acid and vitamins are not guaranteed to prevent Spina Bifida; however, studies have shown that they can help. Recent studies have shown that by adding folic acid to their diets, women of childbearing age significantly reduce the risk of having a child with a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida. Doctors recommend women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Foods high in folic acid include dark green vegetables, egg yolks, and some fruits. Many foods—such as some breakfast cereals, enriched breads, flours, pastas, rice, and other grain products—are now fortified with folic acid. A lot of multivitamins contain the recommended dosage of folic acid as well.
Those who have a greater risk of having a child with spina bifida or another neural tube defect are women who have a child with spina bifida, have spina bifida themselves, or have already had a pregnancy affected by any neural tube defect. These women may require more folic acid before they become pregnant
Education Implications:
Children with spina bifida can lead relatively active lives. Prognosis depends on the number and severity of abnormalities and associated complications. Most children with the disorder have normal intelligence and can walk, usually with assistive devices. If learning problems develop, early educational intervention is helpful.
Although spina bifida is relatively common, until recently most children born with a myelomeningocele died shortly after birth. Now that surgery to drain spinal fluid and protect children against hydrocephalus can be performed in the first 48 hours of life, children with myelomeningocele are much more likely to live. Most children with Spina Bifida must undergo numerous surgeries. School programs should be flexible to accommodate these special needs. Many children with myelomeningocele must learn to control bladder and bowel control. Some children even require catheterization.
As related services, some children need intermittent catheterization to help the child benefit from and have access to special education and related services. Many children learn to catheterize themselves at a very early age. A successful bladder management program can be incorporated into the regular school day in some cases, children with spina bifida who also have a history of hydrocephalus experience learning problems. Children with spina bifida may have trouble with attention, expressing or understanding language, and attaining reading and math skills. Early intervention with children who experience learning problems can help to prepare them for school.
Mainstreaming, or successful integration of a child with spina bifida into a school attended by nondisabled young people, sometimes requires changes in school equipment or the curriculum. The student’s placement is determined in the IEP meeting and is considered to be the least restrictive environment. The student’s day-to-day activities should be as "normal" as possible. In adapting the school setting for the child with spina bifida, architectural factors should be considered. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires that programs receiving federal funds make their facilities accessible.
Children with myelomeningocele need to learn mobility skills, and often require the aid of crutches, braces, or wheelchairs. It is imperative that all school members and the parents understand the child's physical capabilities and limitations. Physical disabilities like spina bifida can have overwhelming effects on a child’s development. Children should be encouraged to be independent and to participate in activities with their nondisabled classmates to help develop social skills and social growth.