Spina Bifida Flashcards
Spina bifida is the ____ most common birth defect, occurring __ per 10,000 live births
second
3.4
What is the proposed etiology of spina bifida?
maternal lack of folic acid during the first trimester
also associated with the seizure medication valproic acid
It is suggested that the pregnant woman takes ___ μg of folic acid during the months prior to conception and ___ μg through the first trimester
400
600
The survival rate of spina bifida is __% with early treatment
90
Excellent prognosis is due to what 3 things?
- he use of antibiotics to limit infection
- The surgical insertion of shunts to manage hydrocephalus
- Early and consistent use of clean, intermittent catheterization to completely empty the bladder
What is spina bifida aka?
Myelomeningocele
Describe the spinal defect that is present in spina bifida patients
There is an external sac on the infant’s back that contains meninges and spinal cord tissue that protrudes through a dorsal defect in the vertebrae
Where does the defect typically occur?
in the lumbar region
What is spina bifida occulta?
o A condition involving nonfusion of the halves of the vertebral arches, but without disturbance of the underlying neural tissue
How can spina bifida occulta be distinguished externally?
by a midline tuft of hair
There is a high rate of what 2 things in spina bifida occulta patients?
tethered cord and urinary tract disorders
What is myelocele?
A protruding sac containing meninges and CSF, but the spinal cord and nerve roots remain intact and in their normal positions which means there typically is no motor or sensory deficits, hydrocephalus, or other CNS problems
There is a high incidence of ______ and _____ dysfunction resulting from a tethered spinal cord
bladder and bowel
What is lipomeningocele?
A superficial fatty mass in the low lumbar or sacral level of the spinal cord
The caudal end of the neural tube closes on approximately day __ of gestation
26
What are the 4 clinical signs of spina bifida?
- Absence of motor and sensory function (usually bilateral) below the level of the spinal defect
- Loss of neural control of bowel and bladder function
- Higher motor or sensory level on one side than on the other
- Functional deficits may be partial or complete
What can be defined as an abnormal accumulation of CSF in the cranial vault?
Hydrocephalus
What is the keystone of Hydrocephalus?
bulging fontanels
What are the 4 causes of hydrocephalus?
- Overproduction of CSF
- A failure in absorption of CSF fluid
- Obstruction in the normal flow of CSF through the brain structures and spinal cord
- Arnold-Chiari malformation
What is considered to be the primary cause of hydrocephalus in children with spina bifida?
Arnold-Chiari malformation
What is Arnold-Chiari malformation?
It is a deformity of the cerebellum, medulla, and cervical spinal cord in which the cerebellum sinks into the posterior aspect of the cranium which results in the posterior cerebellum being herniated downward through the foramen magnum displacing brainstem structures caudally
Management of the neonate with spina bifida typically depends on the extent of what 3 things?
- neurologic impairment
- hydrocephalus
- kyphoscoliosis/scoliosis
Early and aggressive surgical intervention is supported and it is now acceptable for the child’s back to be closed within __ hours of birth
72
Prior to surgery is PT intervention necessary?
An evaluation may not be imperative, but an assessment can offer insight into the severity of any ortho problems present at birth
Hydrocephalus is a common side effect that occurs in __% of children with spina bifida
90
Typically how is hydrocephalus managed?
via shunting
What are the 2 types of shunts?
- Ventriculoatrial (VA) shunt
- Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt
The VA shunt moves excess CSF from one lateral ventricle to where?
the right atrium of the heart
The VP shunt moves excess CSF from one lateral ventricle to where?
free abdominal space