WHAT IS SPINA BIFIDA? WHAT IS SPINA BIFIDA? WW Spina bifida is a “birth defect that means "split or open spine." It occurs when the bones of the spine do not form properly around part of the baby’s spinal cord. In severe cases, it can make walking or daily activities hard to do without help. The disease can be mild or severe. Mild The more common form. It usually does not cause problems or need treatment. You can't see the defect, So most people don't know they have it until they get a back X-ray for another reason. Servere The severe forms are less common. There are two types: Meningocele (say "muh-NIN-juh- seel"); Fluid leaks out of the spine and pushes against the skin. Myelomeningocele (say "my-uh- loh-muh-NIN-juh-seel").

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A healthy spine is closed to protect the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that sends messages back and forth between your brain and the rest of your body. The messages tell your muscles to move so you can kick a soccer ball or pick up a pencil. The messages also tell you about sensations on your skin, so you know to pull your hand away from a hot pot. Sometimes part of the spinal cord and spine don't grow the way they should, leaving an opening where the spinal cord may protrude outside the body. If a person has spina bifida, the person may not be able to move their muscles the way other people do. This is called paralysis (say: puh-ra-luh-sis), which means a person can't move some muscles or to feel things on some parts of the body. Types: Spina bifida occulta — The spinal column is not completely closed. This may not cause any symptoms and often requires no treatment. Meningocele — Part of covering of the spinal cord called the meninges may protrude through an opening in the back. Myelomeningocele — A portion of the spinal cord itself protrudes through an opening in the back.

CAUSES?, YOU ASK…. Well, The exact cause of this birth defect is not known. Experts think that genes and the environment are part of the cause. Women who are obese or who have diabetes are also more likely to have a child with spina bifida. They've learned that folic (say: foh-lik) acid is very important, especially when a baby is growing inside its mother. Folic acid is one of the B vitamins found in foods like broccoli, spinach, egg yolks, and oranges and if a woman doesn't have enough folic acid in her diet while she's pregnant, she may be more likely to have a baby with spina bifida.

HOW CAN YOU TELL OF THIS DISEASE ? Symptoms: Your child’s symptoms will depend on how severe the defect is. With a mild defect, your child may have no symptoms or problems. Or your child might have a dimple, a birthmark, or a hairy patch on his or her back. In severe cases, you may see nerves coming out of your child’s back or swelling on the spine. A child with a severe defect may have nerve damage that affects daily living. The child may have little or no feeling in the legs, feet, or arms. And he or she may not be able to move those parts of the body. Children with a severe defect are sometimes born with fluid buildup in the brain (hydrocephalus). They may also have this problem after birth. It can cause seizures, intellectual disability, or sight problems.

WHAT DO DOCTORS DO? There is a little girl named Andrea who is 12 years old. doctors have been an important part of her life. When she was just a few hours old, she had her first surgery. Doctors gently pushed her spinal cord back inside her body through the opening on her back, and then closed the opening. When she was 2 days old, the doctors put in a shunt, a device that drains the extra fluid in the brain. Since then, Andrea has had several operations, mostly to replace her shunt. In addition to surgery to keep her shunt working, a kid with spina bifida might need surgery on the feet, hips, or spine.. Treatment While spina bifida occulta usually requires no treatment, the more severe types of spina bifida usually require surgery to close the opening in the back, to preserve spinal cord function, and to reduce the risk of infection. Additional surgeries often are required. Shunting, a procedure that drains excess fluid from the brain into the abdomen, controls hydrocephalus and can prevent or reduce many of the consequences of this condition.

THINGS CHILDREN WITH SPINA BIFIDA WILL NEED TO LEARN? Children with spina bifida will need to learn how to use wheelchairs, crutches or braces to improve their mobility. Other interventions can help them become more independent in managing bladder and bowel problems. Educational issues can be addressed with the appropriate professionals.

MORE ON ANDREA LIFE STYLE WITH THIS DISEASE… Andrea is 12 years old and in the 6th grade. She likes to go swimming, play with her dog, and have friends over. She's been in three dance recitals, and she even received a standing ovation once. She's traveled to Canada and many places in the United States, and next summer she hopes to go to Scotland. When she's older, Andrea wants to be a chef. “Like you, Andrea is interested in many things and can do a lot of stuff. What might be different from you, though, is the fact that Andrea can't walk and uses a wheelchair to get around.”

MY VIEW OF IT ALL… Even though a child may suffer from spina bifida they are the same as us just aren’t able to as much as we can or may just have to do things differently. Spina bifida may not be the best feeling to some kids but that’s why we are here, to help them understand that we understand their problem and that they are no different from us.

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