Spina Bifida

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Spina Bifida

• -An unfortunately common birth defect
• that affects about 1,300 babies each year-

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Overview

• What is spina bifida?
• Three forms of spina bifida
• Causes
• Who is at risk?
• Medical problems that occur with spina bifida
• Prevention
• Role of March of Dimes

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What is spina bifida?

• birth defect resulting from the incomplete
  closure of the embryonic neural tube
• the vertebrae overlying the open portion of the
  spinal cord remains unfused and open
• the abnormal portion of the spinal cord sticks
  out through the opening in the bones 

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Three forms of spina bifida

• Occulta
• Meningocele
• Myelomeningocele 

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Occulta

• mildest form
• no symptoms
• gap in one or more of the vertebre of the spine
• dimple, hairy patch, dark spot or swelling over
  affected area
• spinal cords and nerves usually normal
• no treatment needed 

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Meningocele

• rarest form
• cyst or fluid-filled sac pokes through open part
  of spine
• sac contains membranes that protect spinal cord,
  but not spinal nerves
• cyst removed by surgery, usually allowing
  for normal development 

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Myelomeningocele

• most severe form
• cyst holds both membranes and nerve roots of
  spinal cord and, often, the cord itself
• sometimes, a fully exposed section of spinal cord
  and nerves
• closed surgically after birth
• affected babies leg paralysis and bladder and
  bowel control problems 

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Causes

• causes of spina bifida are not completely
  understood
• scientists believe both genetic and environmental
  factors cause this
• however, 95 of affected babies are born to
  parents with no family history of these disorders 

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Who is at risk?

• ANYONE! ( 
• couples who already had an affected baby has an
  increased risk of having another affected baby 
• women who are obese, have poorly controlled
  diabetes, or who are treated with certain
  anti-seizure meds have a higher risk
• more common in Hispanics and Caucasions

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Medical Problems that occur

• Hydrocephalus (70-90)
• Chiari II malformation (change the brain's
  position)
• Tethered spinal cord (held in place by connective
  tissue)
• Urinary tract disorders
• Latex allergy (73)
• Learning disabilities (20)
•  

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Prevention

• Folic Acid -- 70 NTDs can be prevented
• multivitamin of 400 micrograms of folic acid
  every day 
• every day foods grain products, fortified foods,
  leafy-green vegetables, dried beans, oranges,
  orange juice

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Role of March of Dimes

• award grants to research labs
• search for genes that may contribute to spina
  bifida and other NTDs to develop new ways to
  prevent these disorders
• seek better understanding of how folic acid
  prevents NTDs
• develop programs to prevent behavior and
  adjustment problems in children and adolescents
  with spina bifida 

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Thank you for listening!