Kelsey+C.



Spina Bifida; otherwise specified as Spina Bifida **Manifesta**, **occulta**, **Meningocele** and **Meningomyelocete**; is not an uncommon disorder.

What Is //Spina Bifida//?

Well, Spina Bifida is a disease that effects one in every 1,000 newborn babies in the U.S. Spina Bifida, otherwise reffered to as "Meningomyelocete" or "Myelomeningcele" is a developmental anomaly characterized by defective closure of the bony encasement of the spinal cord through which the spinal cord and meninges may or may not protrude. In simpler terms, its when the fetus' spinal cord can be exposed and cause permanent physical damage.

Spina Bifida is caused when the tissues that fold to form the neural tube do not close or do not stay closed completely. This disorder **//is not//** genetic, and is a common malformation. Spina bifida occurs within the first month of conception. The disorder is most commonly diagnosed during pregnancy, and sometimes at birth. Some well known people that have this disorder that you might know are Hank Williams Sr., Judy Woodruff and Mike Mcgee.



Spina Bifida is treated within 48 hours of birth. This treatment is usually surgery. There is ongoing research to improve the medicines, procedures and impairments that is caused by this.

There is no cure for Spina Bifida. But you may help prevent it from occuring all together. Folic acid plays a big roll in S.B. Folic acid is a B-vitamin that helps build healthy cells. During periods of rapid growth, such as pregnancy and fetal development, the body's requirement for this vitamin increases. Research has shown that if all women who could possibly become pregnant were to take a multivitamin with folic acid, the risk of neural tube defects like Spina Bifida could be reduced by up to 70%.

//Spina bifida Occulta// symptoms: 1. Small spinal defect 2. Hairy area in lower back 3. Skin lump in lower back

//Spina Bifida Meningocele// symptoms: 1. Spinal Opening 2. Improperly formed Vertebrea 3. Missing Vertebrea 4. Swelling on newborns back. This contains Cerebral Spinal Fluid. 5. Lack of sensation in leg. 6. Excess fluid in brain 7. Pertruding Spinal Contents.

Spina bifida effects the spine, therefore causes most children born with it paralysis or loss of sensations below where the opening in the spine was. It also causes different bowel, and bladder complications.

//Treatments// for Spina Bifida include: 1. Rehabilitation therapies 2. Surgery 3. Medications 4. Occupational Therapy 5. Psysiotherapy 6. Assistive Devices

These are the three forms os spinal deformations associated with Spina Bifida.

These are the three types when CSF is present outside of the Spinal Cord.

Here are some Support groups if needed. [ www.dailystrength.org/c/**Spina**-**Bifida/support-group]** [ www.parenttoparentnh.org/ezhomepg/userpages/**SpinaBifida**.html] [ www.freewebs.com/**spinabifida**assocoregon/] [ www.mdjunction.com/**spina**-**bifida]** [ www.**spinabifidasupport**.com/]

[Symtoms found at WrongDiagnosis.com/Spinabifida/] [additional information found at kidshealth.org/parent/system/ill/**spina**_**bifida** and www.**spinabifida**association.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2700277/k.2112/**Folic** _**Acid**.htm ]