overview
Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord fail to form properly. It’s kind of a neural tube defect. The neural tube is the structure of a developing embryo that ultimately becomes the baby’s brain, spinal cord, and the tissues around it.
Usually the neural tube forms early in pregnancy and closes on the 28th day after conception. In babies with spina bifida, part of the neural tube does not close or grow properly, causing abnormalities in the spinal cord and bones of the spine.
symptom
he signs and symptoms of spina bifida vary depending on the type and severity, as well as between individuals.
Spina bifida occulta. Typically there are no signs or symptoms as the spinal nerves are not affected. But sometimes you can see signs on the newborn’s skin over the spine defect, including an abnormal tuft of hair or a small dimple or mole. Sometimes the patches of skin can be signs of an underlying spinal cord problem that can be detected by an MRI or ultrasound of the spine in a newborn. Spina bifida treatment in hyderabad
The reasons
Doctors aren’t sure what causes spina bifida. It is believed to result from a combination of genetic, dietary, and environmental risk factors, such as: B. a family history of neural tube defects and folate deficiency (vitamin B-9).
Risk factors
Spina bifida is more common among whites and Hispanics, and women are more likely to be affected than men. Although doctors and researchers aren’t sure why spina bifida occurs, they have identified a few risk factors:
Folate deficiency. Folic acid, the natural form of vitamin B-9, is important for the development of a healthy baby. The synthetic form found in supplements and fortified foods is called folic acid. Folic acid deficiency increases the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects.
Family history of neural tube defects. Couples who have had a child with a neural tube defect are at a slightly higher risk of having another baby with the same defect. This risk increases when two previous children have the disease. In addition, a woman with a neural tube defect is more likely to have a child with spina bifida. However, most babies with spina bifida are born to parents who have no known family history of the disease. Spina bifida treatment in hyderabad
Complications
Spina bifida can cause minimal symptoms or minor physical disabilities. However, severe spina bifida can lead to more severe physical disabilities. The severity is influenced by:
- The size and location of the neural tube defect
- When the skin covers the affected area
- Which spinal nerves come from the affected area of the spinal cord
prevention
Folic acid, taken as a supplement at least one month before conception and during the first trimester of pregnancy, greatly reduces the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Spina bifida treatment in hyderabad