Question 1

what is spina bifida?

Accepted Answer

Spinal cord disorder: The spinal cord forms as an open tube that starts to close from the middle out to the two ends.  The entire closure is done by about ten weeks.  If the closure is not normal than a condition known as spina bifida occurs.  Open spina bifida is when there is an opening in the spinal column to the skin.  Closed spina bifida is when there is an opening in the spinal column but it has a thin cover.

Question 2

is spina bifida hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Studies show that : the incidence of neural tube defects (NTD's) like open Spina Bifida would decrease by 70%  if all women took 0.4mg of Folic Acid daily from menarche to menopause. However, this dose does not prevent NTD's in offspring of women with variations in several genes involved in folate (folic acid) &amp; homocysteine metabolism. There are also inheritable genetic causes of NTD's that are not related to folate (folic acid) metabolism.

Question 3

who discovered spina bifida?

Accepted Answer

Although depictions : of people with Spina Bifida go back 12,000 years, Amsterdam's Dr. Nicholas Tulp named the disorder between 1618-1652. Dr. Giovanni Battista Morgagni an Italian, linked lower-limb deformity &amp;  hydrocephalus to Spina Bifida in 1761. Studies show that the incidence of NTD's could decrease by as much as 70% if all women were to take a daily Folic Acid supplement from menarche to menopause.

Question 4

do you deal with spina bifida?

Accepted Answer

A life-long story: Spina bifida prevention begins before pregnancy, with folate (folic acid) supplements. Tests are done in pregnancy to prevent spina bifida newborns. If born with it, a child enrolls in a spina bifida clinic at a childrens' hospital. The child needs help with peeing & pooping, mobility (braces, wheelchairs), and with integrating into regular schools. His life will be like that of someone paralyzed in both legs.

Question 5

what are the tests for spina bifida?

Accepted Answer

Spina bifida: Spina bifida is usually diagnosed by x-ray for MRI of the lower spine. In the new born it can also be done with an ultrasound.

Question 6

can you tell me what spina bifida means?

Accepted Answer

Split spine.: Spina bifida is a generic term used to describe congenital malformations of the spine (typically lower spine). It can be mild to very severe and be associated with a variety of conditions.

Question 7

what can you tell me about spina bifida?

Accepted Answer

Spina bifida: Spina bifida is a very generic term that covers a lot of disorders of the spine that occur at birth. These can range from defects in the spinal bone to loss of the muscle and skin covering leading to herniation of the spinal cord and roots. There are a wide variety of causes known.

Question 8

what is spina bifida and how is it caused?

Accepted Answer

Congenital: This is a failure of the bones to fuse at birth usually in the lower spine.  Sometimes the nerves to the legs and bladder are also malformed.  So in effect, you are born with it.

Question 9

how do you deliver baby with spina bifida?

Accepted Answer

As usual: Delivery of a neonate with spina bifida may require some special attention by the obstetrician, but usually the delivery progresses as normal and the spina bifida is addressed after delivery.

Question 10

could my nephew have spina bifida if i did?

Accepted Answer

Unlikely: Spina bifida (there are several types) is associated with some known genetic defects however the majority of cases are spontaneous and most cases are more likely related to folate (folic acid) deficiency during pregnancy. The general answer is that this is unlikely to occur in your nephew.

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