Spina Bifida Jessica Tucker

What is Spina Bifida?

• Spina bifida is a birth defect. It occurs when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not form properly around part of the baby’s spinal cord. It can affect how the skin on the back looks. And in severe cases, it can make walking or daily activities hard to do without help.

How bad can it be?

• The symptoms of Spina bifida range from mild to severe.

• The mild form is the more common form. It usually does not cause problems or need treatment. You can't see the defect. Most people don't even know they have it until they get a back X-ray for another reason.

Two Most Severe Forms:• Meningocele: Fluid leaks out

of the spine and pushes against the skin. You may see a bulge in the skin. In many cases, there are no other symptoms.

• Myelomeningocele: Most rare and severe form of spina bifida, but is the form most people mean when they say “spina bifida”. Part of the spinal nerves push out of the spinal canal, and you may see a bulge in the skin. Nerves are often damaged, which may cause problems with walking, bladder or bowel control, and coordination.

What causes Spina Bifida?

• The exact cause of this birth defect is not known. Experts think that genes and the environment are part of the cause. For example, women who have had one child with spina bifida are more likely to have another child with the disease. Women who are obese or who have diabetes are also more likely to have a child with spina bifida.

Symptoms

• Depends on severity of the defect.• Child could have a dimple, birthmark, or hairy patch on his or

her back• Swelling on the spine• Little to no feeling in the legs, feet, or arms• Fluid buildup on the brain• Seizures• Intellectual disability• Sight problems• Curve in the spine• Many develop an allergy to latex

How is Spina Bifida diagnosed?

• A pregnant woman can have a blood test and a fetal ultrasound to check for spina bifida or other problems with the fetus

• A woman can choose to have an amniocentesis to help confirm if spina bifida exists, but the test comes with risks such as a chance of miscarriage

• After birth, a doctor can usually tell if a baby has spina bifida by looking at its back. An X-ray, MRI, or a CT scan can be done to evaluate the severity of the defect

Treatment Options

• Mild defects usually do not need treatment

• Children with severe defects may require corrective surgery

• If a child has problems from nerve damage, he or she may need a brace, wheelchair, physical therapy, or other aids

How can you prevent Spina Bifida?

Before and during pregnancy:• Get plenty of folic acid each day. Eat foods rich in folic acid, such as

fortified breakfast cereals and breads, spinach, and oranges. Your doctor may recommend that you also take a daily vitamin with folic acid or a folic acid supplement.

• If you take medicine for seizures or acne, talk with your doctor before you get pregnant. Some of these medicines can cause birth defects.

• Don't drink alcohol while you are pregnant. Any amount of alcohol may affect your baby’s health.

• Don't let your body get too hot in the first weeks of pregnancy. For example, don't use a sauna or take a very hot bath. And treat high fevers right away. The heat could raise your baby’s risk for spina bifida.

Classroom Accommodations

• Extended time on assignments and assessments

• Scribe for written assignments• Special desk/chair• Preferential seating• Orthopedic pencils/crayons• Wheelchair/walker accessible

classrooms• Etc.

References

• http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/tc/spina-bifida-topic-overview

• http://www.examiner.com/article/school-accommodations-for-spina-bifida