Live Life Team
Diagnosis:
Most of the cases of spina bifida are diagnosed with a regular blood test which is taken in ante natal screening. In case the blood report shows a high level of AFP (that is alpha fetoprotein) there are chances of the baby having spina bifida, but this blood test is not the sole test to determine this condition. There are other tests carried out to confirm the condition.
Another test, that is, an ultrasound is the first test wherein you can detect any defects in the spinal cord which could indicate spina bifida.
Amniocentesis is another test where the amniotic fluid is drawn out using a needle; if this indicates high AFP level it indicates spina bifida.
Treatment:
In case the child is detected with spina bifida there would be a different set of doctors to help you with the child. There would be further treatments too like:
Surgery in order to restore the spine.
Occupational therapy which would help the child in improving his posture.
Urinary incontinence.
Treatment of incontinence of the bowel by using both toilet training and dietary techniques.
Mitranoff procedure that is a surgery wherein the appendix is removed and one end is linked to the abdominal wall and the other to the bladder, in order to make a channel.
Treatment of hydrocephalus wherein a surgery is performed so as to maintain the level of the cerebrospinal fluid.
CIC that is clean intermittent catherisation is a procedure of evacuation of the bladder at standard interludes.
Orthopaedic surgery is a surgery performed so as to treat complications like dislocated joints or scoliosis.
Botulinum toxin- This is a treatment which could be done once in a period of 6 months so as to treat bladder abnormality.
AUS that is artificial urinary sphincter which is a tool implanted through a surgery to aid in treating urinary incontinence.
Anal plugs are placed in the anus of the child so as to prevent repetitive soiling.
Medication to treat diarrhoea and constipation.
Enema is another treatment for children who suffer from constipation which is a condition in which children have a problem in evacuating their bowel.
Strapping is similar to anal plugs which also aids in preventing of repetitive soiling.
Ileostomy and colostomy.
ACE that is antegrade continence enema is a surgery done so as to aid in making the enemas convenient and easy.
Assistive technology – It is manual and electric wheelchairs, leg braces and walking aids, computers, software of word processing and many other educational programmes.
Complications:
There are various complications of spina bifida, like:
Latex allergy – About twenty percent of adults and children who suffer from spina bifida suffer from this.
Association for hydrocephalus and spina bifida ASBAH.
Psychological effects on parents whose children suffer from spina bifida.
Sexuality and sex.
Teenage years.
Psychological effects on young people and children who suffer from spina bifida.
Malfunction of the shunt.
Prevention:
The best way of preventing spina bifida is a good intake of folic acid before and during the course of pregnancy.
