Babies Born With Spina Bifida

Spina bifida or spina bifurcated is a congenital malformation that affects the baby’s spine. It develops during pregnancy when the developing spine does not close properly around the spinal cord and nerves, leaving an opening that exposes them outside.

Spina Bifida Symptoms

Because it is a malformation of the spine, spina bifida can cause both physical and intellectual disabilities. The severity of symptoms varies, as there are several types of spina bifida. Thus, it will depend mainly on:

• The size of the opening.
• In which part of the column it is. The further up your back you are, the more serious the consequences will be.
• Whether the nerves and spinal cord have been affected or not.

Following these criteria, we found three types of spina bifida: open spina bifida, which is subdivided into myelomeningocele and meningocele, and occult spina bifida.

meningocele

A meningocele affects the meninges, the membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. When they protrude through the opening formed in the spine, a fluid-filled sac (meningocele) is created.

Babies with this condition can suffer from a variety of health problems, depending on the damage they have experienced to the nerves surrounding the spine. For example: they may have muscle paralysis to varying degrees or have learning problems such as attention deficit disorder (

ADHD

).

myelomeningocele

When talking about spina bifida, it is usually myelomeningocele. It is the most serious type of this malformation, and causes deficiencies that range from the most moderate to the most serious, even reaching loss of movement or sensation in the legs.

It occurs when the meninges and the lower end of the spinal cord join through the spinal orifice and form a fluid-filled pouch. This pouch, which appears as a bump on the baby’s back, can burst during delivery, exposing the spinal cord and nerves.

In addition to bone or muscle problems, it is also common for babies with this malformation to have

hydrocephalus

. It is an accumulation of fluid in or around the brain.

Hidden Spina Bifida

It is the mildest form of spina bifida and can go unnoticed. As its name implies, this variety of malformation syndrome is “hidden” under the skin.

Although hidden, the skin in the opening area may have birthmarks or a sacral dimple. Inside, the spinal cord may be trapped by tissue, rather than being free, so the nerves are unaffected.

Most babies with hidden spina bifida have no long-term problems. What’s more, it is often detected in advanced childhood or even when they are adults.

What causes spina bifida?

All the causes that give rise to spina bifida are not known. It is necessary to investigate the factors that affect the development of this malformation, such as genetics or the environment. However, it is known with certainty that it is related to low levels of folic acid.

Spina bifida appears in the first weeks of pregnancy. It often graduates before the expectant mother knows she is pregnant. To take

folic acid

during pregnancy (four hundred micrograms daily) helps to reduce the risk of its onset. However, this does not guarantee a healthy pregnancy.

Other tips that can be followed to prevent this malformation are:

• Consult with your doctor about the best treatment to follow. Just as no two people are alike, no two pregnancies are identical. It is better to follow a personalized treatment that meets all the needs of the mother and child.
• Inform yourself properly about the components of drugs, vitamins and supplements taken. During pregnancy, the body reacts differently to some medications.
• Control body temperature. A high fever can increase your baby’s chances of developing spina bifida.

Treatment

The treatment of spina bifida varies according to its severity. Depending on which system it affects, children will need long-term support from different specialists. This includes not only doctors, but also therapists, social workers and associations that provide support and understanding.

In babies with spina bifida, it is possible that no treatment is needed. If the spinal cord is anchored, surgery will be needed to separate it from the tissue. After the operation, babies do not usually have problems, although it is possible for the spinal cord to become anchored again.

In addition, babies with meningoceles need to be operated on during the first few months of life. The surgery places the meninges in the body and closes the orifice.

The process is similar for myelomeningocele: the baby must be operated on, but between the first and second day after birth. If detected in the early stages of pregnancy, it is possible to operate in the twenty-fifth week to correct the malformation. In addition, it will be necessary to operate on hydrocephalus if the baby suffers from this disease.