Spina Biffida
Spina Biffida is a genetic disorder. A genetic disorder is an often-inherited medical condition caused by an abnormality in DNA. Per year, there are around 20,000 out of 200,000 babies in the US affected by Spina Biffida.
Spina Biffida is a defect of the spine in which part of the spinal cord is exposed through a gap in the backbone. It is caused by bones not forming properly. It can often lead to being paralyzed below the waist as well as mental problems. Spina Biffida can be mild or severe. The mild form is most common. It usually does not cause problems or require treatment. You can’t see the defect, but those affected by it often have a small dimple, hairy patch, or birthmark on their back. Many people with this form don’t even know they have it until they have an x-ray …show more content…
This is what most people mean when they say “Spina Biffida.” Spinal nerves push out of the spinal canal and become damaged. There can be a bulge in the skin, as well as the skin is actually open and the nerves are exposed.
The cause of this disease hasn’t been pinpointed to a certain reason. It is more often seen in obese mothers, mothers with diabetes, or mothers who lacked folic acid during pregnancy. This can cause a genetic mutation, but as far as doctors know, it is not a hereditary condition.
The symptoms of Spina Biffida can usually be seen on the skin above the spinal defect. These can include an abnormal tuft of hair, a birthmark, or protruding spinal cord tissue. More severe forms of the disease can cause paralysis and brain issues.
There is no cure for Spina Biffida but there is treatment. Surgery can be done either before or after birth. Although surgery can be done with the child still in the womb to reduce its affects, the risks of that surgery may be greater than those the disease can cause. Physical and behavioral therapy is also an option for the more severe cases. Another option is
Spina Biffida is a genetic disorder. A genetic disorder is an often-inherited medical condition caused by an abnormality in DNA. Per year, there are around 20,000 out of 200,000 babies in the US affected by Spina Biffida.
Spina Biffida is a defect of the spine in which part of the spinal cord is exposed through a gap in the backbone. It is caused by bones not forming properly. It can often lead to being paralyzed below the waist as well as mental problems. Spina Biffida can be mild or severe. The mild form is most common. It usually does not cause problems or require treatment. You can’t see the defect, but those affected by it often have a small dimple, hairy patch, or birthmark on their back. Many people with this form don’t even know they have it until they have an x-ray …show more content…
This is what most people mean when they say “Spina Biffida.” Spinal nerves push out of the spinal canal and become damaged. There can be a bulge in the skin, as well as the skin is actually open and the nerves are exposed.
The cause of this disease hasn’t been pinpointed to a certain reason. It is more often seen in obese mothers, mothers with diabetes, or mothers who lacked folic acid during pregnancy. This can cause a genetic mutation, but as far as doctors know, it is not a hereditary condition.
The symptoms of Spina Biffida can usually be seen on the skin above the spinal defect. These can include an abnormal tuft of hair, a birthmark, or protruding spinal cord tissue. More severe forms of the disease can cause paralysis and brain issues.
There is no cure for Spina Biffida but there is treatment. Surgery can be done either before or after birth. Although surgery can be done with the child still in the womb to reduce its affects, the risks of that surgery may be greater than those the disease can cause. Physical and behavioral therapy is also an option for the more severe cases. Another option is