Question 1

did medical science find a way yet to repair the neural damage caused by spina bifida?

Accepted Answer

Spina bifida: We are a long way away from repairing the damage due to a myelomeningocele or spina bifida - to repair the damage one has to be able to regenerate the damaged nerve tissue and then get it to perform the neurological function that it is suppose to do - it will be sometime before that happens.

Question 2

why do spina bifida patients have a myelomeningocele repair later?

Accepted Answer

Myelomeningocele: Usually the repair of a myelomeningocele is delayed several days after birth to ensure that the child is stable for surgery and to also get a better assessment of potential neurologic deficits.  As an adult, some patients develop spinal cord symptoms from tethering of the spinal cord prompting a procedure to release the tension on the spinal cord.

Question 3

why is it that spina bifida patients have a myelomeningocele repair later in life?

Accepted Answer

Spina bifida: Myelomeningoceles are almost always repaired within the first couple of days of life. The exception to that is unavailability of a surgeon to do it young leading to a later repair. The other situation where the family does not want it repaired.

Question 4

i'm aware that spina bifida patients usually have the repair right at birth but why would they wait until later like age 8 to have the repair?

Accepted Answer

Spina bifida: Repair is typically done at birth, a delay repair would be done with there are no symptoms and full thickness skin coverage over the defect. A repair at age 8 likely means the child was becoming symptomatic, most likely a tethered cord syndrome.

Question 5

what is the definition or description of: spina bifida?

Accepted Answer

Spina bifida: Spina bifida is a neural tube birth defect. It is causing defects in spinal cord &amp;  bones of  spine. See:  http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spina-bifida/basics/definition/con-20035356

Question 6

what is the fastest way to get info on baby that might have spina bifida?

Accepted Answer

Diagnosis?: If your question means how does one get diagnosis of spina bifida during pregnancy, a well-performed ultrasound can provide that information as early as the second trimester. Amniotic fluid can have elevated enzymes associated with spina bifida which requires removing fluid from the uterus & some risk. This is slower but provides complementary information to ultrasound in questionable cases.

Question 7

are men with spina bifida less fertile?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: It depends on the level of the spina bifida.  Low lesions (sacral) can lead to loss of ejaculation.  If the man is in a wheel chair, sperm quality can also be affected.  Many treatment options are available with a male fertility specialist.

Question 8

what is the reason someone gets spina bifida?

Accepted Answer

Spina Bifida: Combination of Genetic &amp; Environmental risk factors, such as Family history of Neural tube defects &amp; Folic acid deficiency, White or Hispanic race, Female sex, some anti-seizure medications taken during pregnancy such as Depakote, Obese Diabetic women who get pregnant &amp; their Diabetes not controlled, &amp; women who develop Fever during pregnancy.

Question 9

is meningocele and spina bifida the same thing?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Meningomyelocele and spina bifida are an interrelated problem, in that all people with the former have the latter.

Question 10

why are there more cases of spina bifida in the uk?

Accepted Answer

Genetics plus: The most important reason is genetic predisposition.  However it is quite likely that unknown environmental causes are important.   Known environmental causes of spina bifida are widespread and probably would be effective in many countries, not just the uk.

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Doctor answers about:

Spina bifida repair

A member asked:

Did medical science find a way yet to repair the neural damage caused by spina bifida?

A member asked:

Why do spina bifida patients have a myelomeningocele repair later?

A member asked:

Why is it that spina bifida patients have a myelomeningocele repair later in life?

A member asked:

I'm aware that spina bifida patients usually have the repair right at birth but why would they wait until later like age 8 to have the repair?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: spina bifida?

A member asked:

What is the fastest way to get info on baby that might have spina bifida?

A member asked:

Are men with spina bifida less fertile?

A member asked:

What is the reason someone gets spina bifida?

A member asked:

Is meningocele and spina bifida the same thing?

A member asked:

Why are there more cases of spina bifida in the uk?

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