Spina Bifida connects with the skeletal, muscular and nervous systems of the body.
Spina Bifida is a congenital defect of the spine in which part of the spinal cord and its meninges are exposed through a gap in the backbone. "The skeletal system is made up of bones, ligaments and tendons". Spina Bifida is associated with the Spinal Cord, with proper development the nerves within the back will not be exposed to any infection, danger or anything that could damage it. Spina bifida is also connected with the nervous system. "The nervous system is made up of the brain, the spinal cord, and nerves. One of the most important systems in your body, the nervous system is your body's control system. It sends, receives, and processes nerve impulses throughout the body. These nerve impulses tell your muscles and organs what to do and how to respond to the environment." With proper development of the spinal cord the nerves can properly send and receive messages. If the nerves in the spinal cord are damage due to having spina bifida sometimes results in mental handicap. The muscular system is made up of tissues that work with the skeletal system to control movement of the body, like the ones in your arms and legs. Without Spina bifida a person is able to have complete control over all their voluntary muscles, but in some cases it often causes paralysis of the lower limbs.
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/.html." Fact Monster.
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20 Oct. 2013 <http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0774536.html>.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
This is sad!(Bloggers Choice)
On the way to Disney world, a family and their three year old daughter were singled out to have a security check by TSA, the transportation security administration at the airport. The little girls name is Lucy Forck, she has spina bifida, and rolls around in a hot pink wheel chair. At the bottom of the screen is a link, of the video that the mother took while the lady tried to pat down her daughter for the security check.
http://now.msn.com/lucy-forck-three-year-old-with-spina-bifida-singled-out-for-tsa-screening
Eventually the family got to go on the plane and enjoy their trip to Disney world. TSA has apologized to the family. More information about the situation is available all over the internet. Please Check it out. Here are some Pictures of Lucy Forck on her vacation.
Interesting Facts
- Most kids with spina bifida have some problems with their bowels and bladder. The nerves that send and receive messages from the brain can't do their job, so it's hard for kids to know when they need to go to the bathroom.
- There has been a recurrence of people with spina bifida that become allergic to latex.
- Spina Bifida means "split spine" in Latin.
Piatt, J. H.. N.p.. Web. 9 Oct 2013. <http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/birth_defect/spina_bifida.html
Monday, September 30, 2013
Treatment of Spina Bifida?
Once again there is no real treatment of Spina Bifida. If the meningocele is covered by intact skin and no neurologic deficits are present, maybe nothing needs to be done except to be careful about traumatizing the area. If neurologic deficits are present or overlying tissues are fragile or breached, then surgery is needed to repair and protect the area.
WebMD, M. C.. N.p.. Web. 9 Oct 2013. http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/tc/spina-bifida-topic-overview.
Brownstein, Cindy. "spina bifida assosication." spina bifida. Christopher Vance. Web. 9 Oct 2013.
WebMD, M. C.. N.p.. Web. 9 Oct 2013. http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/tc/spina-bifida-topic-overview.
What is the Prognosis?
There
is no cure, nor any real treatment of Spina bifida; it depends on the severity
of the child’s defect. If they have occulta then there is no treatment needed.
But if it is any of the other more severe types then precautions are taking
immediately. In some cases the baby undergoes surgery only a few days after
being born. If detected in the womb, doctors can open up the womb and presume
surgery too, but the result of this is lost neurological function. Throughout
the child’s life they might need a brace, wheel chair, use catheters and take
antibiotics if the vertebra is exposed.
Symptoms of Spina Bifida
The
symptoms of Spina bifida vary from child to child. They could have a patch of
hair, a dimple or birthmark at the location of the malfunction. They could also have a visible sac, not to mention nerve damage, and unable function of their limbs. Spina Bifida can also be tested while the mother is still pregnant through a blood test (alpha-fetoprotein), an ultrasound (sonogram) and amniocentesis.
 |
| This is the hair patch of spina bifida, in a progressed individual. |
 |
| Sonogram |
WebMD, M. C.. N.p.. Web. 9 Oct 2013. http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/tc/spina-bifida-topic-overview.
What Happened?
No one
knows for sure the cause of this birth defect, although scientists believe that
it is due to genetic, environmental and nutritional factors. Another factor is
due to improper intake of prenatal vitamins while the mother is pregnant. Folic
acid is a type of vitamin B, which is taken to prevent miscarriages and neural
tube defects (spinal cord).
 |
| Spina Bifida is an opening in/around the spinal cord. |
Although there are four different types of Spina Bifida, ranging
from mild to severe (Spina Bifida Occulta, Closed neural tube, Meningocele and
Myelomeningocele), I am only going to talk about to the main and most common
ones.
 |
| Occulta (far left), Closed neural tube (center left), Meningocele (center right), Myelomeningocele (far right) |
Occulta
is the mildest and most common version of Spina Bifida. Occulta is usually
referred to as the hidden spine, because the skin covers the opening of the
spine. Most individuals are unaware that they have occulta. There and little to
no symptoms at all. The only way to test this is to get an x-ray of the spine.
There is no damage to the spinal cord or the nerves.
The
more severe form of Spina bifida is Myelomeningocele. It is when nerve or
spinal fluid pushes against the skin forming a sac on the individual’s
back the sac is not be covered by the
skin, in some cases exposing the actually spinal cord, like an open wound. The
individual is partial or completely paralyzed, with urinary and bowel
dysfunction. The nerves become damaged and may cause problems with walking and
full body coordination.
WebMD, M. C.. N.p.. Web. 9 Oct 2013. http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/tc/spina-bifida-topic-overview.
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