Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is a neural tube defect that occurs when the spinal column does not close during the early months of fetal development.

Other common symptoms of spina bifida include learning disabilities, urinary complications and fluid in the brain. Because the nerve damage can be severe, paralysis in the legs is common.

Treatment involves wearing braces or using a wheelchair for mobility purposes. Surgery, medications and therapy can also be used to treat spina bifida.

All pregnant women should take folic acid to reduce the chances of having a baby with a neural tube defect.

Comments: Spina-Bifida

Comments 1 to 15 of about 15.
1

mummybigz - 22 days ago.
Hi jtrn & agee, I had a little boy on 19-09-08 he was born with the most severe spina bifida, (lumbersacral mylomeningecele), He has a couple of other problems which come with the condition, If you ever want to talk or ask questions feel free to message my page. Emma x

AmandaLovesRichardBakerSince2004 - 25 days ago.
is it posable for the little dimple to disapear? The reason I ask is because my Baby was born with one in her spine and They did an Ultrasound on the 5th of this month and the dr said it's nothing to worry about I wonder what he mean's by that.

agee - 26 days ago.
Hi jtrn...I can relate with you. I am 18 weeks also and my results of my quad came back and the dr said neural tube defect. He set me up with a genetic counselor on friday. I see my dr on monday and prob then he will send me for level 2 ultrasound. If i were you i would call my dr and have him schedule one without waiting because i feel waiting isnt fair!! My numbers from what the dr said so far are 1 in 170. I have researched a little about it and there are mild cases and severe cases so i guess we just have to wait and see if the blood work came back correct. I have heard of many false positives so lets pray for that now and be positive . I am a little scared also anyone would be scared i want everything you want for your baby also. I think if it is minor it can be corrected i read something about surgery in the womb but first we have to see what it is. There are options at least. Hope all is well keep positive and i will have you in my prayers.

jtrn - 30 days ago.
Hello.....I wanted to try and touch base with people who could help me and Im hoping that someone will read this and respond....I am 18 wks preg and my AFP test came back high last wk. They havent even called me to schedule a lev 2 US yet and I am SO scared.....I just really REALLY want everything to be ok but I also dont know what to think feel whatever right now. I know I need to wait for the US to tell me anything but did anyone else have the AFP done, if so what were the numbers and with a problem, can it be fixed or just corrected?? I dont know that I can have a baby that cant walk or cant urinate or reproduce....Im scared of the baby's quality of life and the long term also....Please help if you can. Thank you, Jennifer

shelynn - 36 days ago.
bernadette~ my daughters is 14 months now and when she was born she had a small dimple on her lower back as well.. we new nothing of it.intill the day she was born. they thought she had spina bifida but it truned out to just be a tethered spinal cord. I wish you guyd the best of luck on everything.

lovinlife - 40 days ago.
Bernadette- There are different levels of spinda-bifida... I have a half-sister on my dads side that has a severe case of spina-bifida. She has been in a wheel chair since she was a baby and has no feelings of her legs. I have a cousin on my dad's side as well that was born with this and his is a little less severe but still serious, he uses the braces that you place your arms inside of to keep him balanced so he can walk. Both also have urinary problems. My dad just found out a couple of years ago that he has spina-bifida as well but it is the lowest level, oculta. He is fine has no problems walking or anything. I wish you and your family luck with everything...

bernadette - 43 days ago.
my little grandaughter was born yestarday the 22 nov they have told my daughter that sophie has a hole at the bottom of her spine and has to go for a scan and might need an operation my daughter went into shock and did not ask quastions could anyone tell me more about this problem as they did not mention spina bifida.

renee8089 - 67 days ago.
hello, my brother has spina-bifida so i have to take folic acid 5mg daily, i took it for 3 months leading up to being pregnant, and for the 8 weeks i was preganant, unfortualtly we lost the baby, and i have since stopted taking the tablets. my question is (if any one knows..) is there a higher risk of spina-bifida if you fall pregnant again with in 3 months..?? never the less i will be starting the tablets again today, but not sure weather it is safe to TTC or wait 3 months..

crystal-chris - 81 days ago.
Hi Ladies... I'm 8 weeks pregnant right now and I have spina bifida oculta (the lowest of the 3 forms). They have me on 10x the normal amount of folic acid for the first 3 months to try to keep this genteic condition from passing to the baby. Just to let you all know. I have lived with this condition all my life. It would have never been detected if I hadn't had completely unrelated back problems that required an x-ray. That's when they noticed this. So just to ease your minds a little, yes this is and can be a very serious condition but it can also turn out to be nothing big. Blessings ladies and love your little ones!

mummybigz - 91 days ago.
Medicmom:- Thankyou! We feel blessed to be given this little boy, somebody out there obviously knew that i had all the love and courage a little baby like this needed to be looked after, and so they gave him to me! Me and my partner love him dearly and are going to travel to the end of the earth and back to give him everything he needs. We travel 200 mile for his treatment as it is a better hospital and we only want the best for our son. This all came as a complete shock as we werent expecting it and do not have it in the family, but after being mortified and hitting rock bottom, I have now got over the initial shock and thank the lord my little angel is here, and recovering so well. Good luck to MOEJUICY, i also admire you for your decision and once you meet your new little girl you will have no regrets and know you made the right decision.

lin - 92 days ago.
I admire your decision NOT to terminate your pregnancy. Just to give you some encouragement.... I work as a social worker with families and children with disabilities. There is one mother I work with who has a daughter that was born with Spina Bifida. She is now 22, very bright and CAN WALK! No wheel chair, no braces! There are positive outcomes and usually with spina bifida its more physical than mental which I personally would prefer my child to have a physical impairment as opposed to mental impairment. Best of luck to you, i hope everything turns out well for you and your family.

moejuicy - 97 days ago.
HI, I am 20 weeks and my doctor has told me that my baby has spina bifida.. I was told i should end my pregnancy by doctors. I told them no, im not terminating my pregnancy.. So if anyone has any helpful information I would really appreciate it. I was told im having a girl....

charcharsuperstar - 99 days ago.
hi! My niece has a mild case of spinal bifida.. it's low on her back and she had surgery a couple days after birth and seems to be doing GREAT ! -She is about 4 months old now, has full movement of her legs and everything ! :)

MedicMom - 101 days ago.
I have a 13yr old that was born with a severe spina bifida. He is beautiful, and my pride and joy. I am glad you are so happy and positive with your new baby. My best to you.

mummybigz - 101 days ago.
I delivered a beautiful baby boy, Oscar on 19-09-08 he was 7lb 15oz by elective caeserean section and he was born with un-detected spina bifida. He is my precious little boy and we love him so much!