Spina bifida, a neural tube defect (NTD), is a complex inborn disorder. It occurs due to an incomplete spine development in a fetus during the first month of pregnancy. There are three main types of spina bifida: spina bifida occulta, meningocele, and myelomeningocele.
It can occur at varying degrees, and its most serious form is when there is an open lesion on the child’s spine. It usually affects the backbone around the small of the back or further down. In this article, we will inform you about the spina bifida symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and more.
Spina bifida signs and symptoms include problems with movement and issues related to hydrocephalus.
Some major symptoms include the following:
The incomplete development of the spine impacts nerves along the spine. It can affect the brain's ability to control the muscles and cause problems in their movement. So, most children affected by this condition have some kind of paralysis or weakness in the lower limbs. It also hampers the bones' development, sometimes causing conditions like scoliosis.
Bladder control issues can also be one of the spina bifida symptoms, as the bladder is in the lower body. It happens due to the incomplete formation of nerves that control the bladder. Often, this can cause problems such as urinary incontinence, hydronephrosis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney stones, and kidney scarring. Therefore, monitoring of the bladder and kidneys becomes necessary.
The nerve controlling the sphincter for proper bowel movement can be hampered. This results in limited or no control over the sphincter muscles and causes bowel incontinence. So, regular episodes of diarrhoea or periods of constipation can be one of the signs and symptoms of spina bifida.
Spina bifida can lead to a condition called hydrocephalus, which can trap an excess of fluid in the brain. This can increase pressure on the brain and cause damage, sometimes resulting in learning difficulties.
A short attention span, difficulty reading, difficulty understanding fast-spoken language, difficulty solving problems, and more can be a result of this. Due to Hydrocephalus, the baby can experience certain symptoms soon after birth, such as seizures, irritability, drowsiness, poor feeding, and being sick.
Reduced sensation in the lower body can also result in skin problems, such as frequent injuries and ulcers. Latex allergy is also one of the spina bifida symptoms.
After looking into spina bifida symptoms, here are some of the possible causes of Spina Bifida:
Usually, the diagnosis of spina bifida in the fetus can be made through a few tests. These are as follows:
These tests work for most cases. However, it is also possible to miss detecting the disorder during pregnancy.
There are various ways to treat the multiple issues caused by spina bifida. These treatment methods include:
There are a few steps a pregnant woman can take to prevent spina bifida in their child. These measures can include:
After the diagnosis of a child with spina bifida, it can be difficult to decide what the future holds. So, always handle the situation one step at a time and consult with an expert who can advise you throughout the treatment process.
Recent findings have also revealed that the lifespan of people having this disorder has increased by 36.6% from 2011 to 2022. Therefore, with appropriate care, the lives of spina bifida can significantly improve.
Spina bifida symptoms include problems with movement and issues related to hydrocephalus. This is a condition which does not have exact causes linked to it apart from environmental factors and genetics.
No link with any specific cause makes this condition unpredictable. Therefore, proper care is necessary for women while they are pregnant. Moreover, advanced research in this area is leading to an improved future for individuals having this condition.