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Birth Defects and Disorders - Spina Bifida

SpinaBifidaisabirthdefectwhichcanbepreventediffolicacidsupplementsaretakenregularlywhileplanningapregnancyandduringpregnancy.ReadontoknowmoreabouttheSpinaBifida.Spinabifidaisoneofthemostcommonbirthdefectswhichaffecthundredsofbabieseveryyear.Themainproblemisthatthisbirthdefectoccursduringthefirstmonthofpregnancyandthismeansthatthespineofthechilddoesnotclosecompletely.InthisarticleEffectsofSpinaBifidaHelpforInfantsandToddlersRisksandPreventionofSpinaBifidaHighRiskofSpinaBifidaEffectsofSpinaBifidaTheeffectsofSpinaBifidacanbedifferentindifferentperson.Manychildrenandtheirparentsdonotevenknowthattheyaresufferingfromanymedicalproblem.Sincetherearedifferenttypesofdefectsinthiscategory,theireffectsarealsospecific.Somearehighlydangerousandchildrenbornwiththatdieafterfewmonthsofbirth.Duetothisbirthdefect,therearepossibilitiesofdamagestothenervesandspinalcord.Therearepossibilitiesoffullorpartialparalysis,learningdisabilities,bladderandbowelcontroldifficulties,latexallergyaswellassocialandsexualissues.Inmostchildrenthereisoccurrenceofsomefluidinthebrainandmajorityofthecasesarecuredwiththehelpofsurgeryinwhichashuntisinsertedtodrainthefluidout.HelpforInfantsandToddlersAlthoughSpinaBifidaisacommonbirthdefect,untilrecentpastitwasbelievedthatitcausedmanyinfantdeaths.However,todaythedevelopmentinmedicalsciencehasprovedthatchildrenwiththisbirthdefectcanliveafulltermlifeandthattooactively.Frequentmedicaltestsandhospitalizationalongwithpropermedicalcareandobservationcanhelpthesechildrenleadanormallife.Awarenessamongparentscanhelpthesechildrenhelpedoutofthisproblem.Nomatterwhetheryouarepregnantoryouareplanningtogetpregnant,itisbettertogatherasmuchinformationaspossibleaboutSpinaBifidaandotherbirthdefectsalsosothatyoucansaveyourchildfromanykindofproblemandgivehimahealthystart.RisksandPreventionofSpinaBifidaEverypregnantwomanisatriskofSpinaBifida.Itisnotevennecessarythatwomenwhohaveafamilyhistoryofthisproblemareatrisk.Manystudiesshowthatthisdefectwasfoundinthosechildrenalsowhosemothershadnohistoryofanysuchproblem.So,takingprecautionsandhelpingthisdefectgetpreventedisthebestway.Taking400microgramsoffolicacidatleastonemonthbeforegettingpregnantandduringpregnancyisbelievedtohelppreventtherisksofbirthdefectslikeSpinaBifida.ThosewhoarepregnantshouldtakemultivitaminwithB-vitaminfolicacid.Expertsareoftheopinionthattheriskisreducedupto70%bytakingthisstep.Theproblemismorewhenwomengetpregnantunplannedway.Eventoday,therearequitealesspercentageofcoupleswhoplanandpreparefortheirchild–mentally,physicallyandfinancially.HighRiskofSpinaBifidaWomenwhohavehadpregnancieswithSpinaBifidadefectorthosewhohaveafamilyhistoryofanysuchproblemshouldincreasetheirintakeoffolicacid.However,everythingshouldbedoneafterconsultingyourobstetrician.Ifthereisanysuchpossibility,talktoyourobstetricianandgetproperadvicebeforeyouproceedtowardsgettingpregnant.Oneofthebestwaystopreventanykindofbirthdefectistogeteducatedandwellinformedbeforehand.Ifyouaresexuallyactiveandyouareplanningforpregnancy,takeproperstepsandprepareyourbodytobearthechildsothatyouremainhealthyduringpregnancyandgivebirthtoahealthychild.Getrecommendationsandsuggestionsfromreliablesourcesonlysothatyouarewellinformedandnotmisguidedinanyway.HowisSpinaBifidacaused?HowtopreventSpinaBifida?WhoisattheriskofgettingaffectedwithSpinaBifida?Discusshere.

Spina Bifida is a birth defect which can be prevented if folic acid supplements are taken regularly while planning a pregnancy and during pregnancy. Read on to know more about the Spina Bifida.

Spina bifida is one of the most common birth defects which affect hundreds of babies every year. The main problem is that this birth defect occurs during the first month of pregnancy and this means that the spine of the child does not close completely.

Effects of Spina Bifida

The effects of Spina Bifida can be different in different person. Many children and their parents do not even know that they are suffering from any medical problem. Since there are different types of defects in this category, their effects are also specific. Some are highly dangerous and children born with that die after few months of birth.

Due to this birth defect, there are possibilities of damages to the nerves and spinal cord. There are possibilities of full or partial paralysis, learning disabilities, bladder and bowel control difficulties, latex allergy as well as social and sexual issues. In most children there is occurrence of some fluid in the brain and majority of the cases are cured with the help of surgery in which a shunt is inserted to drain the fluid out.

Help for Infants and Toddlers

Although Spina Bifida is a common birth defect, until recent past it was believed that it caused many infant deaths. However, today the development in medical science has proved that children with this birth defect can live a full term life and that too actively. Frequent medical tests and hospitalization along with proper medical care and observation can help these children lead a normal life.

Awareness among parents can help these children helped out of this problem. No matter whether you are pregnant or you are planning to get pregnant, it is better to gather as much information as possible about Spina Bifida and other birth defects also so that you can save your child from any kind of problem and give him a healthy start.

Risks and Prevention of Spina Bifida

Every pregnant woman is at risk of Spina Bifida. It is not even necessary that women who have a family history of this problem are at risk. Many studies show that this defect was found in those children also whose mothers had no history of any such problem. So, taking precautions and helping this defect get prevented is the best way.

Taking 400 micrograms of folic acid at least one month before getting pregnant and during pregnancy is believed to help prevent the risks of birth defects like Spina Bifida. Those who are pregnant should take multivitamin with B-vitamin folic acid. Experts are of the opinion that the risk is reduced up to 70% by taking this step.

The problem is more when women get pregnant unplanned way. Even today, there are quite a less percentage of couples who plan and prepare for their child – mentally, physically and financially.

High Risk of Spina Bifida

Women who have had pregnancies with Spina Bifida defect or those who have a family history of any such problem should increase their intake of folic acid. However, everything should be done after consulting your obstetrician. If there is any such possibility, talk to your obstetrician and get proper advice before you proceed towards getting pregnant.

One of the best ways to prevent any kind of birth defect is to get educated and well informed beforehand. If you are sexually active and you are planning for pregnancy, take proper steps and prepare your body to bear the child so that you remain healthy during pregnancy and give birth to a healthy child. Get recommendations and suggestions from reliable sources only so that you are well informed and not misguided in any way.

How is Spina Bifida caused? How to prevent Spina Bifida? Who is at the risk of getting affected with Spina Bifida? Discuss here.