Spina Bifida

Question 1

What is spina bifida?

Answer 1

A condition that refers to a developmental defect of the spinal column in which the arches of one or more of the spinal vertebrae fail to fuse
Failure of closure in the midline or lower end of the neural tube

Question 2

when does spina bifida occur?

Answer 2

This process is usually complete by the 28th day of pregnancy
If problems occur during this process, the result can be brain disorders called neural tube defects including spina bifida

Question 3

What is the most common type of spina bifida

Answer 3

occulta Approx 40% of all Americans may have spina bifida occulta, but because they experience little or no symptoms, very few of them ever know they have it

Question 4

Why do some people not know they have it?

Answer 4

because they experience little or no symptoms, very few of them ever know they have it Is the mildest and most common form in which one or more vertebrae are malformed

Question 5

The name occulta means

Answer 5

hidden indicates that the malformation or opening in the spine is covered by a layer of skin

Question 6

occultas prognosis

Answer 6

This form of spina bifida rarely causes disability or symptoms

Question 7

What is Cystica

Answer 7

Closed neural tube defects make up for this type of
spina bifida
This form consists of a diverse group of spinal defects in which the spinal cord is marked by a malformation of fat, bone, or membranes

Question 8

What are the symptoms for Cystica

Answer 8

In some patients there are few or no symptoms; in others the malformation causes incomplete paralysis with urinary and bowel dysfunction

Question 9

2 types of Cystica

Answer 9

Meningocele- where the meninges protrude through the defect (4%) may have few or no symptoms others may experience symptoms similar to closed neural tube defects
Myelomeningocele- elements of the cord also protrude through the defect, resulting in severe neural deficits (96%)1 out of 1,000 births. Spinal cord is exposed through the opening in the spine, resulting in partial or complete paralysis of the parts of the body below the spinal opening

Question 10

Myelomeningocele affects ambulatory how ambulation

Answer 10

The paralysis may be so severe that the affected individual is non-ambulatory and may have urinary and bowel dysfunction

Question 11

Complications with Myelomeningocele

Answer 11

hydrocephalus
May need a shunt
May develop menigitis, 
May develop learning disabilities
May also suffer from latex allergies, skin problems, urinary tract infections, skin problems, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal disorders, seizure disorders, depression and social and emotional problems

Question 12

What is hydrocephalus?

Answer 12

disease that occurs when there is a build up of CNS fluid inside the brain that occurs when normal circulation is obstructed because the open spine permits the lower portion of the brain to slip through the opening of the spinal cord
Skull is stretched
Damages brain cells

Question 13

Causes of Spina Bifida

Answer 13

Genetics and environemental factors Low folic acid consumption during pregnancy

Question 14

Risk Factors

Answer 14

Hispanics and whites of European descent
Family history
Diabetes: 
Obesity:
Increased body temperature

Question 15

When to seek medical attention?

Answer 15

Before pregnancy
During pregnancy
Right after pregnancy
When the doctor feels it’s necessary

Question 16

Screening and Diagnosis

Answer 16

Prenatal Tests
Evaluation
Imaging studies
Gait analysis

Question 17

Prevention

Women should take folic acid pills before they try getting pregnant (can reduce SB by 75%)

Answer 17

Women should take folic acid pills before they try getting pregnant (can reduce SB by 75%)

Question 18

Treatment

Answer 18

No cure
	Regular check ups with physician
Surgery (24 hours after birth)
	Medication
	Therapy

Question 19

Assistive devices

Answer 19

Some may need: braces, crutches, wheelchairs. Depends on the location of malformation
Deficits related to spinal leve

Question 20

Above L3:

Answer 20

complete paraplegia and dermatomal Paranesthesia, bladder incontinence, nonambulatory

Question 21

L4 and below:

Answer 21

same as for above L3 except preservation of hip flexors, hip adductors, knee extensors; ambulatory with aids, bracing orthopedic surgery

Question 22

S1 and below:

Answer 22

same as for L4 and below except preservation of feet dorsiflexors and partial preservation of hip extensors and knee flexors; ambulatory with minimal aids

Question 23

S3 and below:

Answer 23

Normal lower extremity motor function; Saddle anesthesia; variable bladder-rectal incontinence
Activites and Exercise

Question 24

Body Awareness, intervention

Answer 24

Group Play, Parachute activities, Upper body activities, strength training, aquatics, flexibility, relays, wheel chair activities

Question 25

Goals of Intervention:

Answer 25

Teaching gross motor and spatial skills to facilitate coordination
Developing and maintaining fitness and flexibility to emphasize self-sufficiency
Encouraging movement and fitness to overcome susceptibility to obesity

Question 26

Meningocele- explain what protrudes and symptoms.

Answer 26

Meningocele- where the meninges protrude through the defect (4%) may have few or no symptoms others may experience symptoms similar to closed neural tube defects

Question 27

Myelomeningocele- what protrudes and what are the symptoms

Answer 27

elements of the cord also protrude through the defect, resulting in severe neural deficits (96%)1 out of 1,000 births. Spinal cord is exposed through the opening in the spine, resulting in partial or complete paralysis of the parts of the body below the spinal opening