What is Spina Bifida?

"Split spine" is what Spina Bifida signifies. It is a disorder that affects a kid's spine and spinal cord even while they are still in the womb, resulting in varied degrees of paralysis in the infant. Spina bifida can cause a variety of developmental issues in children, including reduced mobility, loss of bowel and bladder control, gastrointestinal ailments, and learning impairments, making it difficult for them to carry on with their normal daily activities.

Spina bifida patients can learn to move around independently by utilizing crutches, braces, or wheelchairs, even if their kind and degree of severity vary and may call for different therapies.


THREE forms of Spina Bifida:

1. Spina bifida occulta: The spinal cord's integrity is unharmed. Just a tiny portion of the bone is poorly fused. The skin covering that lies on top is also undamaged.
2. Meningocoele: A portion of the meninges, the protective outer sheath that surrounds the spinal cord, extends through the bony spine deformity. Usually, the spinal cord is undamaged.
3. Meningomyelocele: The meninges and a portion of the spinal cord protrude from the spinal defect.

Signs

• On the rear, there can be a perceptible bump. It is the spinal cord's or the meninges' (the spinal cord's outer covering) protrusion through the spine's opening. In some cases of meningomyelocele, a large head or an expanding head circumference may be found.
• Skin darkening, a dimple, a soft lump of fatty tissue, or a tuft of hair may occasionally be visible over the lower back in spina bifida occulta patients.

Symptoms

While some symptoms surface early in life, some do so later. There may occasionally be no symptoms. Only when radio imaging is performed to diagnose another medical issue is the abnormality discovered.

There are procedures for antenatal diagnosis, such as MRIs, ultrasonography, and AFP measurements (Alpha FetoProtein).


FIVE FACTS OF SPINA BIFIDA

1. The most prevalent and severe form of spina bifida is myelomeningocele.

2. Spina Bifida's cause is unknown, although scientists think that environmental factors and genetics may both play a role.

3. Spina bifida is known as the "snowflake condition" since no two cases are the same.

4. Breakthrough - Some infants may get surgery while still in the womb to lessen the effects of spina bifida.

5. Early warning signs: The first 28 days of pregnancy are when spina bifida develops.


Reference:
1. https://sibiam.my/spina-bifida/what-is-spina-bifida/
2. http://www.myhealth.gov.my/en/spina-bifida-2/
3. https://nationaltoday.com/national-spina-bifida-awareness-month/