Spina Bifida

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Spina Bifida

• Suzie Benoit
• Nikki Breen
• Krystal Price
• Ashley Yager

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Spina Bifida

• Spina bifida begins usually before the woman
  knows she is pregnant (day 21-28)
• The tissues that form the neural tube do not
  close or stay completely closed.
• An opening in the vertebrae that protect the
  spinal cord is formed.

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Types of Spina Bifida

• Occulta hidden
• this type is covered by a layer of skin and is
  not visible outside the body, however the
  vertebrae are malformed.
• Meningocele
• the spinal cord membrane bulges out of an
  opening that is caused by damaged or missing
  vertebrae and is usually seen as a cyst or bump
  covered by skin, the spinal cord develops
  normally
• Myelomeningocele
• the spinal cord, nerves and membrane sticks out
  from the opening in the spine, usually breaking
  the skin causing spinal fluid leakage. After
  surgery, paralysis is still present.

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Spina Bifida Contd

• Degrees of spine exposure at birth can cause
• Paralysis
• Need for surgery
• Spine problems
• More mild problems that require the use of
  crutches, wheelchair, or leg braces.
• Can also be accompanied by learning problems, and
  difficulties with bowels and urination, as well
  as fluid on the brain

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Potential Causes

• Homocysteine concentration in the bloodstream is
  increased
• Homocysteine is a byproduct of Methionine
• It can be reused to recreate Methionine

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Potential Causes Contd

• A family with one child that has spina bifida are
  8 times more likely to have another with the
  disease
• Genetic factors (heredity)
• Environmental factors
• Nutrition
• Substance exposure
• Decreased folic acid intake during pregnancy

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Prevention

• Folate supplement given every day
• H20 Soluble
• B vitamin
• Essential for amino acid synthesis and rapidly
  dividing cells
• Reduces homocysteine levels by returning it to
  methionine

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Domestic Animals

• Occurs in animals
• Dogs and cats
• Signs are mostly in pelvic limbs, as well as
  urinary/fecal incontinence that can be
  accompanied by sacrocaudal dysgenesis.
• Surgical procedures may help control difficulties
  and even correct condition

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Treatment

• Meningocele can be treated surgically to restore
  normal spinal cord function
• Myelomeningocele spina bifida is operated on
  within 48 hours after birth to prevent severe
  bacterial infection. Surgeons place the spinal
  cord back in the canal and cover it with muscle
  and skin. Paralysis and bowel problems still
  persist after surgery.

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Fetal Surgery Treatment

• Benefits
• Decrease handicaps
• Corrected brain malformations
• Risks
• Infection
• Blood loss
• Premature delivery
• Organ immaturity
• Death

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References

• http//kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/birth_de
  fect/spina_bifida_p2.html
• http//www.medscape.com/viewarticle/525049
• www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/spina_bifida/spina_bif
  ida.htm
• www.sbhao.on.ca/SBinfo.asp
• http//www.fetal-surgery.com/