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S PINABIFIDA

Spina bifida is a birth defect where the spine does not fully develop, leaving part of the spinal cord exposed. It affects the brain, spinal cord, muscles, and can cause paralysis and bowel/bladder issues. Risk factors include genetics, certain health conditions in the mother like diabetes, and not getting enough folic acid. Treatment depends on severity but may include surgery to cover the exposed area, managing paralysis and other issues. Taking folic acid supplements can help prevent spina bifida.

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Arjun Jadeja
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119 views

S PINABIFIDA

Spina bifida is a birth defect where the spine does not fully develop, leaving part of the spinal cord exposed. It affects the brain, spinal cord, muscles, and can cause paralysis and bowel/bladder issues. Risk factors include genetics, certain health conditions in the mother like diabetes, and not getting enough folic acid. Treatment depends on severity but may include surgery to cover the exposed area, managing paralysis and other issues. Taking folic acid supplements can help prevent spina bifida.

Uploaded by

Arjun Jadeja
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Spina bifida

Dr Dhara Sharma
MPT Neuro
Introduction
Spina Bifida latin word for split spine.
Most common group of birth defects called
neural tube defects (NTD).
The neural tube develops into the brain
and spinal cord

Introduction
It’s a defect of the spine in a developing
fetus, it affects the brain,spinal cord,and
it’s muscles surrounding it, and resulting
in loss of movement and or sensation to
the legs and feet as well as bowel
movement and bladder dysfunction.
The human nervous system develops from
a small, specialized plate of cells along the
back of an embryo.
Early in development, the edges of this
plate begin to curl up toward each other,
creating the neural tube—a narrow sheath
that closes to form the brain and spinal
cord of the embryo.
the top of the tube becomes the brain and
the remainder becomes the spinal cord.
This process is usually complete by the
28th day of pregnancy.
But if problems occur during this process,
the result can be brain disorders called
neural tube defects, including spina bifida.
Types
Spina bifida occulta
Meningocele
Myelomeningocele
Causes
Spina bifida is usually an isolated birth
defect. Although scientists believe genetics
and environmental factors act together to
cause this, many babies born with spina
bifida have no family history of this disorder.
Women with certain chronic health
problems such as diabetes and seizure
disorders have an increased risk of having a
baby with spina bifida especially if taking
anticonvulcant medications. Approximately
1/100 of having a baby with spina bifida.

What causes Spina Bifida?


Risk factors
Complications
Complications
:
Diagnostic tests
Blood test
Treatment
There is no cure for spina bifida.
The nerve tissue that is damaged or lost
cannot be repaired or replaced.
Treatment depends on the type and
severity of the disorder.
children with the mild form need no
treatment .

Treatment
The key priorities for treating
myelomeningocele are to prevent
infection from developing through the
exposed nerves and tissue of the defect
on the spine, and to protect the exposed
nerves and structures from additional
trauma.
Doctors have recently begun performing
fetal surgery for treatment of
myelomeningocele.
Fetal surgery involves opening the mother’s
abdomen and uterus and sewing shut the
opening over the developing baby’s spinal
cord. 
They believe the earlier the defect is
corrected, the better the outcome is for the
baby.
Still, the benefits of fetal surgery are
promising, and include less exposure of the
vulnerable spinal nerve tissue and bones to
the intrauterine environment, in particular
the amniotic fluid, which is considered toxic.
Treatment for paralysis and bladder and
bowel problems typically begins soon after
birth
Prevention
Folic acid is an important vitamin in the
development of a healthy fetus.
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.  
Dosage:400 micrograms of folic acid daily
Foods high in folic acid include dark green
vegetables, egg yolks, and some fruits.

Prevention
Prognosis depends on the number and
severity of abnormalities and associated
complications.

Prognosis
Assessment

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