Spinal bifida

Introduction: Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth. It is a type of neural tube defect (NTD).

Spina bifida can happen anywhere along the spine if the neural tube does not close all the way. When the neural tube doesn’t close all the way, the backbone that protects the spinal cord doesn’t form and close as it should. This often results in damage to the spinal cord and nerves.

Spina bifida might cause physical and intellectual disabilities that range from mild to severe. The severity depends on:

• The size and location of the opening in the spine.

Whether part of the spinal cord and nerves are affected.

 Causes of spina bifida

The cause of spina bifida is unknown, but a number of factors can increase the risk of a baby developing the condition.

These include:

• low folic acid intake during pregnancy
• having a family history of spina bifida
• medication – taking certain medications during pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of having a baby with spina bifida

 

Sign and Symptom: Types of Spina Bifida

The three most common types of spina bifida are Myelomeningocele (sounds like: my-low-ma-nin-jo-seal; hear how “myelomeningocele” sounds

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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. This type of spina bifida causes moderate to severe disabilities, such as problems affecting how the person goes to the bathroom, loss of feeling in the person’s legs or feet, and not being able to move the legs.

Meningocele (sounds like: ma-nin-jo-seal; hear how “meningocele” sounds

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Another type of spina bifida is meningocele. With meningocele a sac of fluid comes through an opening in the baby’s back. But, the spinal cord is not in this sac. There is usually little or no nerve damage. This type of spina bifida can cause minor disabilities.

Spina Bifida Occulta (sounds like: o-cult-tuh; hear how “occulta” sounds

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Spina bifida occulta is the mildest type of spina bifida. It is sometimes called “hidden” spina bifida. With it, there is a small gap in the spine, but no opening or sac on the back. The spinal cord and the nerves usually are normal. Many times, spina bifida occulta is not discovered until late childhood or adulthood. This type of spina bifida usually does not cause any disabilities.

 

Diagnosis: Diagnosing spina bifida

Most cases of spina bifida are detected during the mid-pregnancy anomaly scan, which is offered to all pregnant women between 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy.

If tests confirm that your baby has spina bifida, the implications will be discussed with you.

This will include a discussion about the possible problems associated with the condition, the treatment and support your child may need if you decide to continue with the pregnancy, and what your options are regarding ending the pregnancy, if that’s your choice.

Tests after birth

Once the baby is born, a number of tests may be carried out to assess the severity of the condition and help decide which treatments are appropriate.

Tests may include:

• monitoring your child’s head growth and carrying out a brain scan, using an ultrasound scan, CT scan or MRI scan, to check for hydrocephalus (excess fluid on the brain)
• ultrasound scans of the bladder and kidneys to check whether your baby stores urine normally
• an assessment of your baby’s movements to check for paralysis

In most cases, surgery to repair the spine will be recommended soon after your baby is born.

Treating spina bifida

Treatments for the symptoms or conditions associated with spina bifida include:

• surgery soon after birth to close the opening in the spine and treat hydrocephalus
• therapies to help make day-to-day life easier and improve independence, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy
• assistive devices and mobility equipment, such as a wheelchair, or walking aids
• treatments for bowel and urinary problems

With the right treatment and support, many children with spina bifida survive well into adulthood.

It can be a challenging condition to live with, but many adults with spina bifida are able to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Read more about treating spina bifida

Treatment: Treatments for the symptoms or conditions associated with spina bifida include:

• surgery soon after birth to close the opening in the spine and treat hydrocephalus
• therapies to help make day-to-day life easier and improve independence, such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy

assistive devices and mobility equipment, such as a wheelchair, or walking aids

• treatments for bowel and urinary problems

With the right treatment and support, many children with spina bifida survive well into adulthood.

It can be a challenging condition to live with, but many adults with spina bifida are able to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

 

What Makes our Treatment for Spina Bifida Effective?

Since 2005, we have been developing comprehensive stem cell therapy protocols for Spina Bifida to overcome the limitations of conventional therapies. In our protocols, stem cells are combined with specialized therapies for spina bifida that not only focus on helping the patient to cope with their symptoms, but also treat the root cause of the condition by promoting the healing of the original spinal cord/brain injury. We believe that our comprehensive therapy approach for spina bifida gives our patients the best chances of improvements, allowing for a better quality of life.

What potential improvements after the treatment?

The purpose of the treatment is to promote healing of the original spinal cord/brain injury in order to restore neurological function. Thus, various kinds of improvement are possible after our treatment and our past patients have experienced the following*:

• Improved motor function
• Increased sensations
• Improved development
• Improved mental abilities
• Increased muscle strength
• Reduced epilepsy seizures
• Enhanced bladder & bowel function