Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is a birth defect of the spine. The unborn baby’s spine doesn’t form normally. Sometimes the spinal cord and nerves coming from it are affected. This may cause no problems, or it may cause long-term problems with walking, urinating, and passing stool.

• Spina bifida affects the middle and lower back

• Some children also have brain defects

• Defects range from small to large

• Small defects usually cause no symptoms

• Large defects may cause leg weakness and problems walking, curvature of the spine, or bladder problems

• Damage to the brain or spinal cord is much more likely when the tissue visibly bulges from the baby's back

• If parts of the spinal cord are exposed, the baby may develop an infection (meningitis)

Mgongo Wazi: Kasoro ya Mgongo

Katika mgongo wazi, mifupa ya mgongo (pingili za uti wa mgongo) haiumbwi kama kawaida. Ukubwa wa tatizo la mgongo wazi unaweza kutofautiana. Katika hali ya kufichwa matatizo ya uti wa mgongo ya kuzaliwa nayo, pingili moja au mbili haziumbwi kama inavyotakiwa, na uti wa mgongo na matabaka ya tishu (meningi) zinazouzunguka nazo pia zinaweza kuathiriwa. Kuna aina kadhaa zilizo na ukali tofauti wa kinyulojia. Utambuzi wakati mwingine huonyeshwa na dalili zilizo kwenye sehemu ya chini ya mgongo, kama vile kijiti cha nywele, kidonda au shimo, au eneo lenye rangi kwenye ngozi juu ya kasoro. Kwa meningoseli, meninges huchomoza kupitia pingili ambazo uumbaji wake haukukamilika, hivyo kusababisha uvimbe uliojaa majimaji chini ya ngozi. Uti wa mgongo uko katika mahali pake pa kawaida. Aina kali zaidi ni myelomeningocele, ambapo utando wa meninge na uti wa mgongo hujitokeza kwenye kifuko kutoka mgongoni mwa mtoto. Katika myelomeningocele, meninges huwa wazi au, mara chache, hufunikwa na safu nyembamba ya ngozi (kama inavyoonekana kwenye takwimu). Eneo lililoathiriwa huonekana kama imejeruhiwa na yenye rangi nyekundu, na mtoto mchanga ana uwezekano mkubwa wa kudhoofika.

Causes of spina bifida include:

• Not having enough of the vitamin folic acid before and during pregnancy

• A genetic disorder

• Using certain medicines during pregnancy, such as valproate

Many children who have small defects have no symptoms. Most symptoms are from brain damage or spinal cord damage.

Symptoms include:

• Too much fluid in the spaces within the brain (hydrocephalus)

• Learning disabilities

• Difficulty swallowing

• Difficulty walking

• Lack of normal feeling in the skin over the spinal cord

• Inability or difficulty urinating

• Frequent urinary tract infections

• Loss of control over passing stool

Doctors do a screening during the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. This may include:

• Ultrasound

• Blood test

• Testing the fluid around the baby (amniocentesis)

Usually, doctors do surgery.

• A team of specialists decide on the type and how severe the defect is, and talk to the family about treatment and care

• Doctors will treat problems of the bladder, bone, muscle, and other areas

Doctors recommend that all women who might become pregnant or who are pregnant take the vitamin folic acid (folate). Studies show that folic acid helps prevent spina bifida and similar defects in the unborn baby.

• Women who have had a baby with spina bifida have a higher chance of having another baby with the same defect, and they should take high-dose folic acid vitamins beginning 3 months before getting pregnant and continuing through the 1st trimester of pregnancy

Talk with your doctor about how much folic acid you should take.