Sammi+G.

Spina Bifida is a birth defect in which the bones and tissue of the spine do not close properly around the spinal cord. Spina Bifida can occur anywhere along the spine. This defect occurs to the fetus before the birth mother knows that she is pregnant, normally on the 28th day of pregnancy. The defect can happen in anyone and can be found at anytime; if it's not fatal, you may not know about it until you're in your 60's. Depending on how severe the defect is, life expectancy varies; if it's spina bifida occulta, life expectancy is longer as to spina bifida manifesta, which is very fatal to someone who is untreated. When people have spina bifida, they receive an allergic reaction to products with latex; doctors have yet to find out why. Spina Bifida is very common in the US today. Statistics show that out of the four million new borns that are born, 1,500 - 2,000 of them have some form of spina bifida. Spina Bifida is a tricky genetic disorder; doctors do not know what causes the defect. Doctors believe that it is caused by both eviromental and genetic factors (multifactorial trait). Doctors say it is not inherited, although they are still unsure. Symptoms can be detected while the baby is still living in the mother when the mother goes in for monthly pictures of the baby; they will be able to figure out before the baby arrives by if it has a "hunched back" or extra growth on it's back. There are many factors that can lead up to spina bifida. This includes: There are two different kinds of spina bifida known as: **Spina Bifida Occulta and Spina Bifida Manifesta. Spina Bifida Occulta:** Often called Occult Spinal dysraphism, is the mildest most common form. The defect is found under the skin and does not cause problems or needs treatment. Doctors estimated that 24% of the general population, unknowingly, have this spinal defect. There are **multiple** signs of this defect. They include: Another form of spina bifida is **Spina Bifida Manifesta. Spina Bifida Manifesta** is one of the most rarest defects of spina bifida. Spina Bifida Manifesta can be separated into two different classes: **Meningocele and myelomeningocele.** __Meningocele__ happens when the fluid leaks out of the spinal canal, causing the area to look swollen over the babies spine. __Myelomengingocele__**,** or also known as meningomyelocele, is one of the most rare and yet most severe forms of spina bifida. In spina bifida manifesta, various physical symptoms can occur including: 1. Lower spine: Can most likely walk, but may need future ankle/foot braces and or surgery to fix deformities. 2. Middle spine: Will need leg braces, crutches, and possibly wheel chairs to get around along with different surgeries. 3. Higher spine: Can affect the bodily functions of the arms and upper body.
 * //__Spina Bifida __//**
 * What is Spina Bifida?**
 * What causes Spina Bifida?**
 * Having folic acid deficiency
 * Taking certain medicines (those used to treat epilepsy or acne)
 * Excessive use of alcohol
 * Exposure to high temperatures
 * Exposure to certain chemicals
 * Being obese
 * Having diabetes.
 * An example of how this works* For example, if you are obese and have a child that has spina bifida it's because the surplus of fat pushing on the fetus and acids and the form of the inside will affect where the baby lies, if fat is pushed against the baby's back for a period of time, the spinal cord's tissue does not fold around it properly causing it to have spina bifida.
 * Dimple
 * Depression
 * Birth mark
 * Hairy patches that form over the skin where the vertebra is infected more than once.
 * Difficulty swallowing, which can then lead to choking
 * Below - average intellegence
 * Hoarseness
 * Breathe - holding and problems breathing during sleep
 * Strabismus (a vision problem, which the eyes do not both look in the same direction at the same time) Occurs in 20% of the children who have this defect
 * seizure disorders - occurs in 15% of the children who have this defect.
 * Walking erect (depending on where the defect has occured along the spine)
 * Inability to control urine movements.
 * Little or no feeling in the legs or feet.
 * Constipation.
 * Inability to move or feel the legs and arms (paralyzation)

Psychological however include:
 * Fluid on the brain (also known as [|hydrocephalus]). Hydrocephalus can be deadly if not treated, or can cause retardation.

Although some forms of spina bifida you cannot treat, you can always have therapy to improve your muscles to be able to work (unless paralyzed). If it is a non-severe case of spina bifida (some forms of Spina bifida occulta) can be treated by under-going surgery to fix the spinal cord, or course there's always the risk that if doctors hit certain nerves, causing perminant paralyzation or death.
 * Treatment:**

The answer is yes, although we may not know it or even recognize it because it's so mild. An example would be famous singer and song writer, Hank Williams. Hank Williams wrote country music that influenced people. Hank started feeling harsh back pains and found out that he had spina bifida (occulta) and went into surgery. Because Hank was addicted to alcohol and morphine, the surgery was not successful and Hank died.
 * Do famous people have it?**

Well you can; there are many types of spina bifida support groups including SBA (Spina Bifida Association) who hold an annual roast to raise money that will go to looking for better and more efficient cures for spina bifida, Spina Bifida Support Group Mission Statement and Services also help those who have spina bifida by talking the people through the hard times, giving them therapy, and raising money for support. Another group would be: Spina Bifida Association of Oregon, and a big support group that also supports other groups called: **The March Of Dimes,** as well as many more. This is a huge defect in our country and it's growing everyday; many people are trying to prevent it (those in support groups) and are making a difference in our nation as well as other nations.
 * Want to help support people with spina bifida?**

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 * References:**
 * [|__http://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play?p=spina+bifida&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&tnr=21&vid=000151300457__]
 * [|__http://children.webmd.com/tc/spina-bifida-symptoms__]
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