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Did you know what the unique characteristics of the three types of spina bifida are?
Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the membranes surrounding the spine and spinal cord fail to close completely during early pregnancy. This condition can be divided into three main types, depending on the severity: spina bifida occulta, meningocele, and myelomeningocele. Many times, meningoceles and meningoceles can be collectively referred to as spina bifida cystica. According to medical research, spina bifida usually occurs in the lower back, but can also occur in the mid-back or neck.
Spina bifida occulta is characterized by few or only mild external signs, such as hair, depressions, dark spots or swelling at the site of the notch in the spine.
With meningoceles, typically the gap in the spine is surrounded by a fluid-filled sac that can cause minor problems. Meningocele is considered the most severe form and is associated with poor walking ability, loss of bladder or bowel control, fluid buildup in the brain, and possible spinal cord problems. According to experts, these health problems may come from latex allergic reactions that are common in patients related to the surgery, which has also caused parents to be highly concerned about the future health of their children.
The development of spina bifida is thought to be the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. For example, if a parent has had a child with spina bifida, the risk for the next child is 4%. In addition, a lack of folic acid (vitamin B9) before and during pregnancy can significantly increase the risk of this disease. Potential incidence rates also vary among different ethnic groups, with Europeans having a higher risk than Africans, for example.
Unique characteristics of three types of spina bifida
To put it bluntly, the characteristics of each of these three types of spina bifida are different. Spina bifida occulta, the mildest form, is usually unknown to the patient and is often asymptomatic. Medical research points out that the skin of most patients with spina bifida occulta is normal at the lesion site and there is no protrusion of nerves. This makes this type relatively difficult to diagnose.
The symptoms, including back pain, are often not thought to be directly related to spina bifida occulta, so whether spina bifida actually causes these problems remains an open question.
Symptoms of spina bifida occulta
Symptoms of spina bifida occulta are relatively mild, and some patients may have difficulty with their chest or speech, but they do not have the same effects as meningocele or meningocele. Some studies have also suggested that, although less common, spina bifida occulta may be associated with back pain.
In contrast, patients with meningocele will see a sac containing the meninges in the spine. These patients usually do not suffer from long-term health problems, but there are reports that some cases may have spinal cord connections, which can lead to various health effects. At this time, although the spinal cord is not damaged, it still cannot be underestimated.
The most severe meningomyelocele
Meningocele, also known as open spina bifida, is the most serious of the three types. In this case, parts of the spinal cord bulge through the open areas of the spine, forming a sac that envelops the spinal cord and nerve roots. The outer membrane of the spinal cord becomes passive as a result, and the sac formed may cause multiple complications such as clubfoot or Arnold-Chiari deformity. These conditions have a significant impact on a child's quality of life.
Foot varus and other structural abnormalities are common in patients with meningomyelocele, which puts these cases at profound health risks, not only affecting their ability to perform daily activities, but also posing academic challenges.
For children with all three types of spina bifida, early medical intervention and treatment are crucial. This involves surgery to repair problems with the spinal cord and membranes, and may require the installation of a shunt to deal with trapped fluid from swelling in the brain. Even though there is currently no complete cure for the neurological damage caused by spina bifida, early intervention is expected to improve patients' quality of life. Have you ever thought about how this disease will affect the patient's daily life and future development?
