Spina Bifida Flashcards
What is Spina Bifida?
Defective development of any part of the spinal cord
commonly lower cord
What are the different names for spina bifida?
● Neural tube defect ● Meningomyelocele ● Myelomenigecele ● Myelodysplasia ● Spina Bifida
What is the etiology of spina bifida?
● No definitive cause defined
● Genetics
- associated with chromosomal aberrations
- recurrent risk for siblings is 2-3%
- Irish/Celtic origin
● Teratogens (including prescription meds)
- excess maternal alcohol intake
- use of valproic acid (anticonvulsant)
● Nutritional Deficits
-Folic acid deficiency - supplementation has resulted in a decreased
● Environmental
-Increased internal body temperature
What occurs during embryology 17-19 days?
neural plate formation
● brain and spinal cord are exposed
● occurs between 17-23 days
What occurs during embryology 19-21 days post conception?
Neural fold formation
Forms CNS
What occurs during embryology 22-23 days post conception?
Fusion of the neural folds
What occurs during embryology 23-26 days post conception?
Rosteral (toward the head) closure occurs
Anencephaly
What occurs during embryology 26-30 days post conception?
Caudal closure occurs
Myelomeningocele
What is the difference between a normal fetus and one with spina bifida? When does the change occur?
Normally, neural tube closes at 28 days after
fertilization.
Spina Bifida: failure of neural tube to close properly
How is spina bifida diagnosed?
- Ultrasound
- Protein screening (blood test-acetylcholine esterase)
- Amniotic fluid analysis/amniocentesis (high AFP)
What is the incidence of spina bifida?
1/1000 births in the US
***unless you’re celtic or irish, then it could be 1/80
What is spina bifida aperta?
One or many malformed vertebrae may allow
tissue to protrude from spinal canal and form a sac (may also be referred to as Spina Bifida Cystica)
Where does spina bifida aperta most commonly occur?
Lumbar
What are the types of spina bifida aperta?
Meningocele and Myelomeningocele
What is spina bifida occulta?
non-fusion of the vertebral arches, no
disturbance of underlying neural tissue