Spina Bifida Essay Sample
Most people have never heard of Spina Bifida. That's because only seven in every ten thousand people develop this disorder. There are only 160,000 people in the United States that have this disorder. It can be diagnosed by blood tests, ultrasounds, and amniocentesis. If the doctor decides to run a blood test to screen for Spina Bifida and other disorders, they will test for high AFP levels. High AFP levels suggest that there is a neutral tube defect. An ultrasound is the most common and accurate way to diagnose Spina Bifida. If the ultrasound confirms Spina Bifida, the doctor may order an amniocentesis test. In this procedure, the doctor sticks a needle into the amniotic sac and withdraws fluid.
Spina Bifida is a congenital deformity of the spine in which a portion of the spinal cord and its meninges are exposed through a breach in the backbone. It can occur anywhere along the spine, if a neutral tube does not close all the way. If it does not close, the back bone that protects the spinal cord will not form as it should. It often results in damage to the nerves and the spinal cord. There are three types of Spina Bifida; occulta, meningocele, and myelomeningocele. Spina Bifida Occulta is the mildest form of this disorder. Children usually don't need any treatment with this type. Meningocele Spina Bifida typically can be treated without surgery, but there are many complications that can occur. Untreated Spina Bifida Meningocele can lead to mobility problems and mental impairment. Myelomeningocele is the most severe type of Spina Bifida. Myelomeningocele Spina Bifida necessitates surgery to fix the spinal abnormality and protect the exposed spinal cord and nerves from infection, further injury, or trauma. Hydrocephalus develops in the majority of newborns with myelomeningocele, which requires treatment. This type of spina bifida can result in progressive spinal tethering, in which the spinal cord and vertebrae do not extend and expand normally as the child grows. Muscle function in the legs, colon, and bladder may be affected.
Spina Bifida has no determined cause, but it has been linked to factors such as; genetic predisposition, lower levels of maternal folic acid, environmental influences, maternal hyperthermia, and certain drug classifications. Just as there is no determined cause, there is currently no cure. However, in some situations, a child can be operated on while still in the womb in order to lessen or repair the problem. If the mother decides not to undergo surgery while pregnant, the baby would need surgery twenty-four to forty-eight hours after birth.
