Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Neurological Disorders > Congenital Anomalies > Spina Bifida (4)
Spina bifida is a Latin term which means "split spine" and describes birth defects caused by an incomplete closure of one or more vertebral arches of the spine, resulting in malformations of the spinal cord. The spinal membranes and spinal cord may protrude through the absence of vertebral arches (called clefts). These malformations fall into three categories: spina bifida occulta, spina bifida cystica (myelomeningocele) and meningocele.
Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect. Neural tube defects can usually be detected during pregnancy by AFP screening or a detailed fetal ultrasound. Spina bifida may be associated with other malformations as in dysmorphic syndromes, often resulting in spontaneous miscarriage. However, in the majority of cases spina bifida is an isolated malformation. Spina bifida has varying prevalence in different human populations. This and extensive evidence from mouse strains with spina bifida suggests a genetic basis. As with other human diseases such as cancer, hypertension and atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease), spina bifida likely results from the interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors. Despite much research it's still unknown what causes the majority of cases. Nevertheless, there is substantial evidence supporting a significant protective effect of folic acid (0.4mg per day) when taken by women early in pregnancy. It is important to note that spina bifida occurs by the 4th week of pregnancy before many women will be aware of a pregnancy, thus it is generally recommended that women of child-bearing age take a folic acid supplement (most multivitamins contain 0.4mg folic acid) if they are sexually active. Genetic counseling and further genetic testing, such as amniocentesis, may be offered during the pregnancy as some neural tube defects are associated with genetic disorders such as trisomy 18.
The most common locations of the malformations are in the lumbar and sacral areas. The lumbar nerves control the muscles in the hip, leg, knee and foot, and help to keep the body erect. The sacral nerves control some of the muscles in the feet, bowel and bladder and the ability to have an erection. Some degree of impairment can be expected in these areas.
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Spina Bifida Association #EM_dev
HetmanWK (Bartosz Suchan) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:52:16 -0000
Spina Bifida Association #EM_dev
@GlamGirlxoxo a bank acct even, she's on ssi b/c of her spina bifida
Trishinspace (Tricia Kenney) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 08:23:16 -0000
@GlamGirlxoxo a bank acct even, she's on ssi b/c of her spina bifida
RT @mscaroleann Thumper s/ n kittie w/spina bifida.Her back legs R paralyzed, but she still gets arnd Contact@kittenrescu http://is.gd/5qybC
martisunshine (Martina Clements) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:12:54 -0000
RT @mscaroleann Thumper s/ n kittie w/spina bifida.Her back legs R paralyzed, but she still gets arnd Contact@kittenrescu http://is.gd/5qybC
Thumper s/ n kittie w/spina bifida.Her back legs are paralyzed, but she still gets around. Contact@kittenrescu http://tweetphoto.com/6557310
mscaroleann (mscaroleann) Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:10:30 -0000
Thumper s/ n kittie w/spina bifida.Her back legs are paralyzed, but she still gets around. Contact@kittenrescu http://tweetphoto.com/6557310
RT @SpinaBifidaAssn: Support the Film âExtraordinary Measuresâ While Benefiting the Spina Bifida Association: http://bit.ly/7TSVBM
jeremy_moses24 (Jeremy Moses) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:30:57 -0000
RT @SpinaBifidaAssn: Support the Film “Extraordinary Measures” While Benefiting the Spina Bifida Association: http://bit.ly/7TSVBM
RT @NAHJ: Telemundo Orlando profiles NAHJ memb. Laura Tellado and her year-long effort to find spina bifida spokesperson: http://bit.ly/ ...
safajar (safajar) Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:29:16 -0000
RT @NAHJ: Telemundo Orlando profiles NAHJ memb. Laura Tellado and her year-long effort to find spina bifida spokesperson: http://bit.ly/ ...
eMedicine Health - Spina Bifida - Consumer health resource center providing information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Meta Description: [ Spina bifida (“cleft spine”) is a birth defect affecting the spinal column. Spina bifida progresses from a cleft, or splitlike opening, in the back part of the backbones (the spinal ... ]
NINDS Spina Bifida Information Page - Information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Meta Description: [ Spina bifida fact sheet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). ]
Spina Bifida - A publication of the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. Includes definition, incidence, characteristics and implications.
Spina Bifida Information - Prenatal detection, treatment options, complications and ongoing care.
Meta Description: [ Myelomeningocele, commonly referred to as spina bifida, is a congenital condition where the spinal cord is exposed to the outside environment at birth. There is typically associated dysfunction of the spinal cord at the level of the defect and below. The linked pages describe the entity and its... ]
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