Spina bifida is a very serious congenital malformation. It is formed in the early stages of a child's fetal life, in the first trimester, and most often in the third week of pregnancy. The damage is the result of an abnormal development of the nervous system.

Spina bifidais a bipartite scrotum - a developmental defect resulting from the non-closure of the spinal canal (in other words: caused by the lack of the back part of the vertebral arches). The vertebrae that make up the spine that is forming at that time do not close at the back part of the back, and therefore do not fully protect the delicate spinal cord. Only the skin protects it from the factors from the outside world.

Spina bifida: causes

Not all the variables that influence the formation of spina bifida have been identified yet, but doctors believe that it can be influenced on the one hand by genetic conditions, but also by external factors: infections in fetal life of a child, irradiation of a pregnant mother with X-rays, harmful effects of the poisoned environment, deficiency of folic acid and B vitamins in the mother's body.

In Poland, spina bifida occurs once in a thousand births, with the greatest number of cases of this fetal defect recorded in historical Podlasie.

A woman's intake of folic acid for at least one month before pregnancy and in the first three months of pregnancy is considered to be the only known way to prevent spina bifida in her baby.

When the spina bifida is small

Spina bifida most often occurs in the lumbar region, although it can affect any part of the spine. In general - the lower the cleft and the less extensive it is, the better the chances for the child to live a normal life. Diagnosis and treatment of this condition depends on the size of the defect and the degree of complication. Many adults function with this defect without even knowing it exists, because it does not hinder their normal life. Spina bifida is sometimes diagnosed by accident.

Depending on the degree and extent of the underdevelopment of the vertebrae, the disease may be almost asymptomatic, or may cause only minor discomfort when walking or with greaterexercise, cause minor aches and pains from the spine. In such cases, and it concerns the largest group of sick children, the therapy focuses on corrective gymnastics (poorly developing spine causes the scoliosis to deepen), the use of orthopedic insoles, possibly crutches or an orthosis.

Extensive spina bifida

More extensive spina bifida, however, can also cause paresis as a result of nerve paralysis, and even make it completely impossible for the affected child to move. In such cases, they will be confined to a wheelchair throughout their life. Spina bifida may also be accompanied by deformation of the leg joints, meningeal hernia leading to nerve palsy, difficulties and even the inability to pass faeces and urine, insensitivity to touch and pain. Then it is also necessary to neutralize the effects of the disease associated with the cleft. Orthopedic surgeries correcting the hip joints, knees, feet and spine curvatures are indispensable. If urination is disturbed, periodic catheterization of the bladder is necessary. The child must be under the constant care of a neurologist, urologist, orthopedist and other specialists, constant and professional rehabilitation is necessary.

What's the future of children with spina bifida?

Most children with spina bifida undergo surgery in the first weeks of life to close the spine at the site of the defect. If successful, people born with moderate spina bifida, properly treated, most often go to regular school (sometimes it is necessary to be referred to an integration class), get education, finish studies, start their own families, and give birth to he althy children. However, children born with very extensive defects located in the upper spine (including skull cleft), hydrocephalus caused by it, and kidney failure are doomed to imminent death.

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Child's he alth