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1. 4 Signs, Symptoms and Causes4 Signs, Symptoms and Causes
of Spina Bifidaof Spina Bifida
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2. Spina Bifida
• Spina bifida begins usually before the
woman knows she is pregnant (day 21-28)
• The tissues that form the neural tube do
not close or stay completely closed.
• An opening in the vertebrae that protect
the spinal cord is formed.

3. Types of Spina BifidaTypes of Spina Bifida
1.1. OccultaOcculta ““hiddenhidden””
this type is covered by a layer of skin andthis type is covered by a layer of skin and
is not visible outside the body, howeveris not visible outside the body, however
the vertebrae are malformed.the vertebrae are malformed.
2.2. MeningoceleMeningocele
the spinal cord membrane bulges out of anthe spinal cord membrane bulges out of an
opening that is caused by damaged oropening that is caused by damaged or
missing vertebrae and is usually seen as amissing vertebrae and is usually seen as a
cyst or bump covered by skin, the spinalcyst or bump covered by skin, the spinal
cord develops normallycord develops normally
3.3. MyelomeningoceleMyelomeningocele
the spinal cord, nerves and membranethe spinal cord, nerves and membrane
sticks out from the opening in the spine,sticks out from the opening in the spine,
usually breaking the skin causing spinalusually breaking the skin causing spinal
fluid leakage. After surgery, paralysis isfluid leakage. After surgery, paralysis is
still present.still present.

4. Spina Bifida Cont’d
• Degrees of spine exposure at birth can
cause:
– Paralysis
– Need for surgery
– Spine problems
– More mild problems that require the use of
crutches, wheelchair, or leg braces.
• Can also be accompanied by learning
problems, and difficulties with bowels and
urination, as well as fluid on the brain

5. Potential Causes
• Homocysteine concentration in the
bloodstream is increased
– Homocysteine is a byproduct of
Methionine
– It can be reused to recreate Methionine

6. Potential Causes Cont’d
• A family with one child that has spina
bifida are 8 times more likely to have
another with the disease
• Genetic factors (heredity)
• Environmental factors
– Nutrition
– Substance exposure
– Decreased folic acid intake during pregnancy

7. Prevention
• Folate supplement given every day
– H20 Soluble
– B vitamin
– Essential for amino acid synthesis and
rapidly dividing cells
– Reduces homocysteine levels by
returning it to methionine

8. Domestic Animals
• Occurs in animals
– Dogs and cats
– Signs are mostly in pelvic limbs, as well as
urinary/fecal incontinence that can be
accompanied by sacrocaudal dysgenesis.
• Surgical procedures may help control
difficulties and even correct condition

9. Treatment
• Meningocele can be treated surgically to
restore normal spinal cord function
• Myelomeningocele spina bifida is operated
on within 48 hours after birth to prevent
severe bacterial infection. Surgeons place
the spinal cord back in the canal and cover
it with muscle and skin. Paralysis and bowel
problems still persist after surgery.

10. Benefits
• Decrease handicaps
• Corrected brain
malformations
Risks
• Infection
• Blood loss
• Premature delivery
• Organ immaturity
• Death
Fetal Surgery Treatment

11. Questions?
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