Wednesday, June 30, 2010 3:00 AM

807 Children's Way, Jacksonville, FL 32207 (904) 697-3686


Did You Know...?

Folic Acid

Folic Acid is a common water-soluble B vitamin, which has been shown to reduce the risk of having a child born with spina bifida by more than 70%.

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Spina Bifida



What Is Spina Bifida?

Spina Bifida occurs when the spine of the baby fails to close. This creates an opening, or lesion, on the spinal column. This takes place during the first month of pregnancy when the spinal column and brain, or neural tube, is formed. This happens before most women even know they are pregnant.

Because of the opening on the spinal column, the nerves in the spinal column may be damage and not work properly. This results in some degree of paralysis. The higher the lesion is on the spinal column, the greater the paralysis.

Surgery to close the spine is generally done within hours after birth. Surgery helps to reduce the risk of infection and to protect the spinal cord from greater damage.


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Are There Different kinds of Spina Bifida?

Yes, there are three types of Spina Bifida.


Oculta:

Often called, "hidden Spina Bifida," the spinal cord and the nerves are usually normal and there is no opening on the back. There is a small defect or gap in a few of the small bones (vertrebae) that make up the spine. People who have oculta generally experience few or nosymptoms. People often don't even know they have it.


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Meningocele:

The protecting coatings of the spinal cord (meninges) come through the open part of the spine like a sac that is pushed out. individuals may experience minor disabilities; however, problems can develop later in life,


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Myelomeningocele:

This is the most serious type of Spina Bifida, which causes nerve damage and more severe disabilities. It occurs when the meninges (protective covering of the spinal cord) and spinal nerves come through the open part of the spinel.


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What Are The Effects of Spina Bifida?

The effects of Spina Bifida are different for every personl. It is a life-long disability with ongoing medical challenges.

Up to 90 percent of the children with the most severe form of Spina Bifida (myelomeningocele) have hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain) and must have surgery to insert a "shunt" that helps drain the fluid. The shunt stays in place for the lifetime of the person and often nees to be adjusted with multiple surgeries as people grow and get older.

Other conditions that are common for people with Spina Bifida include full or partial paralysis, nervous system complications, bladder and bowel control difficulties, learning disabilities, depression, latex allergy, and social and sexual issues.

Thanks to new medical treatments and technology, most people born with Spina Bifida can expect to live a full life. People with Spina Bifida have many special challenges because of their birth defect, but their condition does not define who they are. People with Spina Bifida have careers, get married, and have children just like people who don't have Spina Bifida.


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Can Spina Bifida Be Prevented?

The exact cause of Spina Bifida is not known. Many things can affect a baby, from family genes to things women may come in contact during pregnancy. Medical research has confirmed a link between a woman getting enough Folic Acid and Spina Bifida, as well as other birth defects.

Research stydies have shown that taking 400 mcg of folic acid, before becoming pregnant and during the first 3 months of pregnancy, can reduce the risk of having a Spina Bifida affected pregnancy by up to 70%.

Since half of the pregnancies in the United States are unplannedm, women who could become pregnant should take a vitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid every day. Women who have a child with Spina Bifida, have had an affected opregnancy, or have Spina Bifida themselves should get a prescription for 4000 mcg (4.0 mg) of folic acid for 1 to 3 months before they try to become pregnant.


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National Resource Center

The Spina Bifida Association's (SBA) National Resource Center is the foremost source of accurate and reliable information for those living with Spina Bifida, families, caregivers and professionals, and for the general public. It is the only information and referral clearinghouse exclusively dedicated to Spina Bifida. Contact the National Resource Center at 800-621-3141.

For more information on Spina Bifida, Please visit The Spina Bifida Association of America (SBAA).


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