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 …show more content…
usually does not require any kind of treatment.
Spina Bifida can be detected before birth by three simple tests.
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
not.
Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs when an infant is born with an extra chromosomes. All humans normally have 23 pairs of chromosomes. But sometimes a child will be born with 47 chromosomes instead of 46. This occurs when a normal cell splits and result in an extra chromosome.
The older a woman is when she becomes pregnant the greater the chance that the baby will be born with Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome can be diagnosed before birth if the mother has a maternal blood test done in the first and/or second trimester of pregnancy. If the blood test comes back abnormal the expectant mother may have an amniocentesis performed.
Children born with Down Syndrome have unique physical characteristics that distinguish them from other children. They are usually short in stature with small hands and feet. Their eyes are slanted upward and hey have short necks. Some children born with this disorder may experience some intellectual disabilitly but they are still capable of attending school. As of today, there is no cure for down syndrome.
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 …show more content…
usually does not require any kind of treatment.
Spina Bifida can be detected before birth by three simple tests.
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
not.
Down Syndrome is a chromosomal disorder that occurs when an infant is born with an extra chromosomes. All humans normally have 23 pairs of chromosomes. But sometimes a child will be born with 47 chromosomes instead of 46. This occurs when a normal cell splits and result in an extra chromosome.
The older a woman is when she becomes pregnant the greater the chance that the baby will be born with Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome can be diagnosed before birth if the mother has a maternal blood test done in the first and/or second trimester of pregnancy. If the blood test comes back abnormal the expectant mother may have an amniocentesis performed.
Children born with Down Syndrome have unique physical characteristics that distinguish them from other children. They are usually short in stature with small hands and feet. Their eyes are slanted upward and hey have short necks. Some children born with this disorder may experience some intellectual disabilitly but they are still capable of attending school. As of today, there is no cure for down syndrome.