can you tell me more about spina biffida - is it the same as down syndrome?

Question

can you also explain what are the main causes - is it just the lack of folate during conception and pregnancy

Answer 1

Spina bifida (Latin: "split spine") is a developmental birth defect involving the neural tube: incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube results in an incompletely formed spinal cord. In addition, the bones of the spine (vertebrae) overlying the open portion of the spinal cord do not fully form and remain unfused and open. This allows the abnormal portion of the spinal cord to protrude through the opening in the bones. There may or may not be a fluid filled sac surrounding the open spinal cord. Other neural tube defects include anencephaly, a condition in which the portion of the neural tube which will become the cerebrum (front of the brain) does not close and encephalocele which results when other parts of the brain remain unfused.

Spina bifida malformations fall into three categories: spina bifida occulta, spina bifida cystica (myelomeningocele), and meningocele. The most common location of the malformations is the lumbar and sacral areas of the spinal cord. Meningomyelocele is the most significant form and that which leads to disability in most affected individuals. The terms spina bifida and meningomyelocele are usually used interchangably.

Spina bifida can be surgically closed after birth, but this does not restore normal function to the affected part of the spinal cord and an individuals with this condition will have dysfunction of the spinal cord and associated nerves from the point of the open defect and below. Intrauterine surgery for spina bifida has also been performed and the safety and efficacy of this procedure is currently being investigated with an NICHD-funded grant . The incidence of spina bifida can be decreased up to 70% when daily folic acid supplements are taken for three months prior to the pregnancy.

DOWN SYNDROME

Down syndrome or trisomy 21 (Down's Syndrome in British English[1]) is a genetic disorder caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British doctor who first described it in 1866. The condition is characterized by a combination of major and minor differences in body structure. Often Down syndrome is associated with some impairment of cognitive ability and physical growth as well as facial appearance. Down syndrome is usually identified at birth.

Individuals with Down syndrome can have a lower than average cognitive ability, often ranging from mild to moderate mental retardation. Developmental disabilities often manifest as a tendency toward concrete thinking or naïveté. A small number have severe to profound mental retardation. The incidence of Down syndrome is estimated at 1 per 800 to 1 per 1,000 births.

Many of the common physical features of Down syndrome also appear in people with a standard set of chromosomes. They include a single transverse palmar crease (a single instead of a double crease across one or both palms), an almond shape to the eyes caused by an epicanthic fold of the eyelid, shorter limbs, poor muscle tone, and protruding tongue. Health concerns for individuals with Down syndrome include a higher risk for congenital heart defects, gastroesophageal reflux disease, recurrent ear infections, obstructive sleep apnea, and thyroid dysfunctions.

Early childhood intervention, screening for common problems, medical treatment where indicated, a conducive family environment, and vocational training can improve the overall development of children with Down syndrome. Although some of the physical genetic limitations of Down syndrome cannot be overcome, education and proper care will improve quality of life.[2]

Answer 2

No, it isn't. Spina bifida (Latin: "split spine") is a developmental birth defect involving the neural tube: incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube results in an incompletely formed spinal cord. In addition, the bones of the spine (vertebrae) overlying the open portion of the spinal cord do not fully form and remain unfused and open. This allows the abnormal portion of the spinal cord to protrude through the opening in the bones. There may or may not be a fluid filled sac surrounding the open spinal cord. Other neural tube defects include anencephaly, a condition in which the portion of the neural tube which will become the cerebrum (front of the brain) does not close and encephalocele which results when other parts of the brain remain unfused.

Spina bifida malformations fall into three categories: spina bifida occulta, spina bifida cystica (myelomeningocele), and meningocele. The most common location of the malformations is the lumbar and sacral areas of the spinal cord. Meningomyelocele is the most significant form and that which leads to disability in most affected individuals. The terms spina bifida and meningomyelocele are usually used interchangably.

Spina bifida can be surgically closed after birth, but this does not restore normal function to the affected part of the spinal cord and an individuals with this condition will have dysfunction of the spinal cord and associated nerves from the point of the open defect and below. Intrauterine surgery for spina bifida has also been performed and the safety and efficacy of this procedure is currently being investigated with an NICHD-funded grant . The incidence of spina bifida can be decreased up to 70% when daily folic acid supplements are taken for three months prior to the pregnancy.

Answer 3

To understand why Down syndrome happens, you need to understand a little about chromosomes. What's a chromosome? They are thread-like structures within each cell and are made up of genes. Genes provide the information that determines everything about people, from hair color to whether they are girls or boys.

Most people have 23 pairs of chromosomes, for a total of 46. But a baby with Down syndrome has an extra chromosome (47 instead of 46) or one chromosome has an extra part. This extra genetic material causes problems with the way their bodies develop.

What Is Spina Bifida?
Someone born with spina bifida has an opening in the spine. A healthy spine is closed to protect the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that sends messages back and forth between your brain and the rest of your body. The messages tell your muscles to move so you can kick a soccer ball or pick up a pencil. The messages also tell you about sensations on your skin, so you know to pull your hand away from a hot pot.

When a baby is growing inside its mother, the spine and spinal cord are developing. But sometimes part of the spinal cord and spine don't grow the way they should, leaving an opening where the spinal cord may protrude outside the body. When this happens, a baby is born with spina bifida, a term that means "split or open spine."

Because of the opening in the spine, the nerves of the spinal cord may be damaged. A spinal cord that's damaged may not be able to do the important job of getting messages to and from the brain. Usually when your brain says "kick the ball," the nerves of your spinal cord carry that message that tells your leg to kick.

These messages may not be able to get through if a person has spina bifida. The person may not be able to move their muscles the way other people do. This is called paralysis (say: puh-ra-luh-sis), which means a person can't move some muscles or to feel things on some parts of the body

Answer 4

I was born with Spina Bifida myelomeningocele, which is the most severe form. However, I have an extremely rare case of it. Everybody thinks that everyone with Spina Bifida has paralysis or trouble walking. This is not the case because I can walk and run fine. Many people with it though develop hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain), learning disabilities, and many other complications. I have neither of these. I have had more than ten surgeries related to Spina Bifida and NEC, but that's about it. I also cannot stand or walk for a long period of time without my back hurting. Spina Bifida is nowhere near similar to Down Syndrome.

Answer 5

The effects of Spina Bifida are different for every person. A lot of children with Spina Bifida form fluid on the brain and have to have surgery to insert this instrument that helps drain the fluid! The instrument they put in the brain stay in their head for life! Other conditions include full or partial paralysis, bladder and bowel control difficulties, um.. learning disabilities, depression, social issues. But besides all of this people with this birth defect can still live happy lives.. They can have careers, get married and have children just like people who don’t have Spina Bifida. With down syndrome there are similar conditions and then some.. like moderate to mild retardation, congential heart defects, thyroid disfuctions, then they have physical conditions on top of that like almond shape to the eyes caused by an epicanthic fold of the eyelid, shorter limbs, poor muscle tone, and protruding tongue. I have a good friend who is down syndrome I dont think Spina Bifida is a severe as one with down syndrome.

Answer 6

some companies supply a universal-trimester screening try for Down syndrome and trisomy 18. This try additionally would coach if a infant is at bigger possibility for coronary heart defects. My coverage grants this and that i'll be getting it. This try is complete between 11 and 13 weeks after a woman's final menstrual era. that's noted as the blended try because of the fact the try has 2 areas: a blood try to an ultrasound examination (a try that makes use of sound waves to take a image of the fetus). The provider sends the blood pattern to the lab, which measures the ranges of two aspects in the mother's blood: unfastened-beta hCG (a particular variety of the being pregnant hormone human chorionic gonadotropin) and being pregnant-linked protein A (PAPP-A). ranges of PAPP-A tend to be decreased, and hCG bigger, with Down syndrome. there is likewise a 2nd and third trimester try.

Answer 7

I was born with the mildest form of spina biffida called spina biffida occulta. I also teach children with severe and profound disabilities to ride horses including two children with more severe spina bifida and quite a few children with Downs. I have a small dimple in my lower back and once in a while my back is sore...that's it! Although with everyone it is different, my riders have normally functioning brains (just like you and me) however, the have shunts to drain fluid off of their brains and they also cannot walk. My riders with down syndrome have bodies that work better (besides low muscle tone) but their thought process is not as high functioning as my riders with spina biffida.

Answer 8

no spine biffida is when the skin doesn't fully cover the spine. If you are worried about make sure you take your prenatal vitamins. You will want to take as much folic acid through out your pregnancy also. Your prenatal vitamin will give you everything that you need.