Spina Bifida which means split spine is a congenital disorder where the embryonic neural tube is not completely close. Some of the bones in the spinal cord is not fully developed and remain open. When this opening is big enough then it lets a part of the spinal cord to stick out through the gap or opening in the vertebrae or bone. It may or may not have a fluid filled sac enclosing the spinal cord.
What are Spina Bifida Symptoms?
Signs and symptoms of spina bifida are different from one individual to another depending on the kind of Spina Bifida the individual has. Individuals with Occulta show no signs at all. This kind of Spina Bifida has closed neural tube which is only identified because of an abnormal birthmark, small dimple or a clump of hair in the skin where the defect is or where the spinal formation is located.
Myelomeningocele and Meningocele usually comprise a fluid filled sac which you can see on the back sticking out from the spinal cord. Myelomeningocele is more severe and dangerous since the spinal cord tissue is usually open and expose and not covered by any skin while in Meningocele, the sac that sticks out may be covered by a thin layer of skin.
Severity of symptoms actually depends on this two factors – first is when the opening is at the top of the spine since this condition will most likely cause total paralysis of the lower extremities compared with opening at the base or in the middle of the spine. Second factor is if the baby develops hydrocephalus, if this happens then the baby will grow up to have learning disabilities.
Symptoms of Spina Bifida can be categorized into three and that is the cognitive symptoms, bladder and bowel symptoms; and mobility symptoms. Read further for the details of each category symptoms.
Cognitive Symptoms
The defects that happen in the neural tube can affect brain development. Statistics shows that six out of ten children who suffers from spina bifida have normal intelligence however over half of them has some kind of learning disability.
Children may have specific learning disabilities which may include short attention span, difficulty solving problems, hard time in reading, have a hard time understanding fast conversations in a group of people, have a hard time making detailed plans or organizing activities; have a hard time understanding logic or cause and effect or even understanding abstract concepts and have difficulty with physical and visual coordination.
Bowel and Bladder Symptoms
The nerves that run through your spinal cord do control a number of muscles in the body specifically sphincters that are found in the bladder and the bowel. This muscle contracts to keep the stools and urine in and when it relax it lets stools and urine out. Most individual with spina bifida have no control or limited control of their sphincter muscles. Thus most of this individuals experience bowel and urinary incontinence.
Mobility Symptoms
The brain actually controls all the muscles in the body so that any damage in the nerves can result to problems in controlling the muscles. Most individuals who are affected with spina bifida will experience some levels of paralysis in their lower extremities. If a child who suffers from spina bifida is partly paralyzed then they may have to make use of a walking cane or leg brace to help them move. However in some instances when paralysis is total will surely need a wheelchair.
Aside from mobility problems, paralysis can lead to other problems like scoliosis, misshapen bones and dislocated joints. Spina bifida life expectancy actually depends on the severity of the condition and the complications it brings. So far most children who are born with this defect have normal intelligence and can move with the help of some device. Besides, if learning disabilities are discovered then early intervention can help a lot.
Today, research is ongoing in trying to find what really cause spina bifida. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke conduct and supports research on nervous system and brain disorder which include spina bifida. The purpose of the study is to find genetic factors which might make the children more at risk of neural tube defect.
They are also studying the function of folic acid with spina bifida. They are trying to find out why folic acid has the ability to prevent this disorder in the fetus. These researchers are hoping to find out new ways of treatment and most of all prevention for such disorder. There is also a five year study to ascertain whether fetal surgery in the womb is safer than the traditional surgery which happens after several days from birth and the study is conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (Title of Study: Management of Myelomeningocele Study).