Spina-Bifida: A Brief Overlook

Statistics show that Spina-Bifida is the most common neural tube defect in the United States; it affects 1,500 to 2,000 of the 4 million plus babies birthed in the United States each year. The neural tube is the embryonic structure that eventually develops into the baby's brain and spinal cord and the tissues that enclose them. 1 There is an estimated 166,000 individuals with Spina-Bifida in the U.S. alone.  In babies with Spina-Bifida, a portion of the neural tube fails to develop or close properly causing defects in the spinal cord and in the bones of the spine. 1 The word Spina-Bifida literally means “cleft spine,” and is most commonly characterized by the failed development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or the meninges.

Different Forms of Spina-Bifida

·         Occulta

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·         Closed neural tube defects

·         Meningocele

·         Myelomeningocele

Spina-Bifida Occulta is the mildest and the most common form in which one or more of the vertebral discs are malformed. “Occulta,” meaning “hidden,” indicates that there is a layer of skin covering the malformation, or the opening in the vertebrae. This form of Spina-Bifida accounts for upwards of twenty percent of the general population affected, though it rarely causes disability or symptoms.

Closed neural tube defects consist of a diverse group defect in which the spinal cord is marked by malformations of bone, fat, or meninges. In most people affected by closed neural tube defects there are few, or no symptoms; in some severe cases the malformation causes total paralysis with urinary and bowel dysfunction.

In the third type, meningocele, a sac of fluid protrudes through an opening in the baby’s back. The spinal cord is not in this sac, so there is usually little to no nerve damage. Even though there is often little to no nerve damage this form of Spina-Bifida can cause minor disabilities in some, and cause complete paralysis in more severe cases.

Myelomeningocele is what most people are referring to when discussing Spina-Bifida. It is the most severe form of Spina-Bifida. With this condition, a sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby’s back. 2 A small portion of the spinal cord and nerves are in this sac and are damaged in the process. Spinal and neural elements become exposed through the opening in the spine, which can ultimately result in complete paralysis affecting parts of the body below the spinal opening.

Treatment

Repetitive, rehabilitative exercise can be administered once the individual is cleared by their physician. However, it is important to understand their physical limitations, which will vary depending on what type of Spina-Bifida is being treated. Stretching can also be administered daily in an attempt to get blood flowing to the affected parts of the body. Patients should strengthen what can be strengthened; there may be cases that are so severe that a majority of the body cannot be strengthened through exercise. However, if they possess full control of their upper body, put it to work. Motivating the individual is also important, push them to perform in ways they never thought they could. There are certain exercise machines that have been developed to assist the affected parts of the body through movement, thus improving blood flow, which can lead to major improvements of paralysis by slowing osteoporosis and hindering the decay of muscular tissue. After reading this short blog you should be aware of what Spina Bifida is, the different types of Spina Bifida, and what can be done to treat it. In my next blog I will be discussing traumatic brain injuries, treatment of TBI’s, and what can be done for individuals with traumatic brain injuries.

References

1Staff, B. M. (2014, August 27). Spina bifida. Retrieved October 04, 2016, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spina-bifida/basics/definition/con-20035356

2Spina Bifida Facts. (2015, December 30). Retrieved October 04, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/spinabifida/facts.html

3Spina Bifida - Stanford Children's Health. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2016, from http://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=spina-bifida-90-P02415