When people talk about spina bifida, most often they are referring to myelomeningocele. Myelomeningocele
is the most serious type of spina bifida
. With this condition, a sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby’s back. Part of the spinal cord and nerves are in this sac and are damaged.
What is the difference between spina bifida and myelomeningocele?
Spina bifida refers to any birth defect in which the neural tube in the area of the spine fails to close completely. Myelomeningocele is a neural tube defect in which the bones of the spine do not completely form. This results in an
incomplete spinal
canal. The spinal cord and meninges protrude from the child’s back.
What is another name for myelomeningocele?
Myelomeningocele. Also known as
open spina bifida
, myelomeningocele is the most severe type. The spinal canal is open along several vertebrae in the lower or middle back.
What are the 4 types of spina bifida?
There are four types of spina bifida:
occulta, closed neural tube defects, meningocele, and myelomeningocele
. The symptoms of spina bifida vary from person to person, depending on the type and level of involvement.
What protrudes from the baby’s back in myelomeningocele?
Myelomeningocele is the most common form of
the spina bifida
, in which the spinal cord and the tissue around the cord (meninges) protrude from the baby’s back and are contained in a fluid filled sac. There is no skin covering the defect. This type of defect happens in about 1 in every 1,000 pregnancies.
Can a baby with myelomeningocele walk?
Background and Purpose: Infants with myelomeningocele (MMC)
have difficulty with, and show delays in
, acquiring functional skills, such as walking. This study examined whether infants with MMC will respond to treadmill practice by producing stepping patterns or at least motor activity during the first year after birth.
Can spina bifida be corrected?
Currently,
there is no cure for spina bifida
, but there are a number of treatments available to help manage the disease and prevent complications. In some cases, if diagnosed before birth, the baby can undergo surgery while still in the womb in an effort to repair or minimize the spinal defect.
What is the treatment for myelomeningocele?
Most cases of myelomeningocele are treated
surgically with a repair soon after birth
. In some cases, the repair is done while still in the womb prior to delivery. Children that have hydrocephalus will likely require surgery to decrease fluid on the brain (VP shunt).
Is spina bifida myelomeningocele painful?
Adults with Spina Bifida and specifically Spina Bifida Occulta
often experience pain
.
How do I fix myelomeningocele?
During surgery, the doctor makes an incision across the mother’s abdomen and opens the uterus.
The neurosurgeon
removes the myelomeningocele sac, if one is present, and repairs the spinal defect in layers before closing the skin to protect the spinal cord from exposure to amniotic fluid.
Can someone with spina bifida have a baby?
Most people with spina bifida are fertile, and
can have children
.
Is spina bifida a disability?
If your family has limited income and resources, your child with spina bifida will likely qualify for SSI disability benefits. Spina bifida is
a disease that affects children and can be very disabling
. If your child has spina bifida, he or she may qualify for SSI disability benefits by applying through Social Security.
What are the chances of having a baby with spina bifida?
Which children are at risk for spina bifida? Once a child with a neural tube defect has been born in the family, the chance that this problem will happen in another child rises to
1 in 25
.
What are the consequences of myelomeningocele?
Individuals born with spina bifida (myelomeningocele) face serious physical and social consequences, including
paralysis, insensate skin, and potential social ostracism associated with loss of bowel and bladder control
. Over time, muscle paralysis can produce contractures, joint dislocations, and spinal deformity.
Can a child with spina bifida lead a normal life?
This can cause physical and mental issues. About 1,500 to 2,000 babies of the 4 million born in the U.S. every year have spina bifida. Thanks to advances in medicine, 90% of babies who have this defect live to be adults, and
most go on to lead full lives
.
When should Myelomeningocele be repaired?
Myelomeningocele repair, also known as fetal spina bifida repair, is a surgery to close the spinal defect during pregnancy. It is typically performed
between 19 and 26 weeks gestation
.
