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Spina bifida is a developmental defect caused by an incorrect topping of the spinal canal, leading, inter alia, to into a hernia. The cleft occurs in the prenatal period, but treatment is only carried out after the baby is born.
Spina bifida – characteristics
Spina bifida is a malformation of the spine in which the arches and spinous processes of one or more vertebrae and the spinal cord are underdeveloped. It is formed even in the prenatal period (in the mother’s belly) – around the 3rd week of pregnancy, when the so-called closure occurs. neural groove and the formation of a tube. It can be imagined as a tube, the walls of which are covered with a sheath, which is the future spine, and the inside is filled with the spinal cord and the brain, and on the sides nerves go to the appropriate organs and parts of the body, ensuring their proper development and function. Incorrect course of the discussed process may lead to spina bifida and impaired function of the emerging nervous system.
Spina bifida – causes
In the normal state, the spine is divided into the following sections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral. Each of these sections is formed by interconnected circles with a characteristic structure. Regardless of the section of the spine, each vertebra is made of the front part: the shaft, and the back part – the arch. Both these parts are connected together to form a vertebral opening. Kind of like a bony rim, circles that are stacked on top of each other (vertebrae on the vertebrae) form a kind of tube called the spinal canal, in which the spinal cord and its tires are located. In spina bifida, some vertebrae do not have the correct structure, which may lead to the spinal cord penetrating beyond the canal, and consequently to the formation of the so-called a hernia of the spinal meninges or a hernia of the spinal meninges.
The severity of the disease depends on which section of the spine developed. Changes in individual vertebrae are usually asymptomatic and may be detected accidentally during diagnostic imaging for a completely different reason. In more numerous lesions, damage to the spine is accompanied by a simultaneous abnormal function of the spinal cord. The transmission of nerve stimuli to various parts of the body is disturbed. The brain does not then receive information about the factors affecting the skin, nor does it respond to their action. Therefore, the child does not feel the touch or pain, does not react to bathing in too warm water. Both sides of the nerve path are interrupted. Same with muscles. Deprived of innervation, they disappear and have no strength to work. The baby is limp, it runs over its hands. The skeletal system is deformed. Depending on the severity of the disease, other organs may not be able to function properly. The urinary bladder, deprived of its proper innervation, does not empty itself. Urine accumulates in it and is a breeding ground for bacteria. Hence, urinary tract infections are so common in children with cleft. In many cases, there is an abnormal circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid, leading to hydrocephalus.
Spina bifida – prevention
The prevention of this defect is considered to be taking folic acid by women of reproductive age, before the planned pregnancy and in the first trimester of pregnancy.
Treatment of spina bifida
Spina bifida is treated surgically after childbirth, closing the spine and skin on the back. Periodic catheterization is used to protect the kidneys and the function of the bladder. Some children may need orthopedic surgery if they develop joint problems or curvature of the spine. Usually, children require the care and constant control of many specialists: neurosurgeon, urologist, neurologist, orthopedist, physiotherapist and others, depending on the case.
Spina bifida and prenatal examinations
Spina bifida is a defect that can be suspected on the basis of an ultrasound scan of a pregnant woman. It is also important to test the level of alpha-fetoprotein, a substance that increases with neural tube defects, i.e. spina bifida.