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Neurological problems
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SPINE BIFIDA - PATIENT INFORMATION
How does this condition affect the child?
The spinal cord normally carries messages between the brain and the body and the limbs. These messages help to control movement of the limbs. They also inform the brain about the feelings of touch, pain and signals from bladder and bowel. In spina bifida, the nerves are damaged because the spinal cord has not formed properly. The amount of nerve damage varies greatly. The main effects are:
- Hydrocephalus - excessive fluid in the brain.
- Muscle weakness or paralysis: Paralysis is below the level of spina bifida.
- Lack of touch, pain sensation
- Bowel and bladder incontinence.
- Leg deformities - Clubfoot, CTEV etc.
How is spina bifida diagnosed before birth?
Antenatally, spina bifida is diagnosed by the following tests:
- Maternal serum Alfa Fetoprotein (ms AFP)
- Antenatal Ultrasonography: Ultrasound evaluation for spina bifida includes both spinal and cranial imaging.
What is the treatment of spina bifida?
Back closures are usually done earlier in the first 48 hrs in all newborns unless there was contraindication like infection. Hydrocephalus when present is treated V-P shunt. But the real task starts after the initial management of the back closure and hydrocephalus.
The spinal cord normally carries messages between the brain and the body and the limbs. These messages help to control movement of the limbs. They also inform the brain about the feelings of touch, pain and signals from bladder and bowel. In spina bifida, the nerves are damaged because the spinal cord has not formed properly. The amount of nerve damage varies greatly. The main effects are:
- Hydrocephalus - excessive fluid in the brain.
- Muscle weakness or paralysis: Paralysis is below the level of spina bifida.
- Lack of touch, pain sensation
- Bowel and bladder incontinence.
- Leg deformities - Clubfoot, CTEV etc.
How is spina bifida diagnosed before birth?
Antenatally, spina bifida is diagnosed by the following tests:
- Maternal serum Alfa Fetoprotein (ms AFP)
- Antenatal Ultrasonography: Ultrasound evaluation for spina bifida includes both spinal and cranial imaging.
What is the treatment of spina bifida?
Back closures are usually done earlier in the first 48 hrs in all newborns unless there was contraindication like infection. Hydrocephalus when present is treated V-P shunt. But the real task starts after the initial management of the back closure and hydrocephalus.
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Spina Bifida - Patient Information
HYDROCEPHALUS IN CHILDREN
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