October is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month! Of course, October is now almost over, but this is still worth mentioning. Women everywhere, take note!! One of the most important things you can do for your baby begins before you ever even consider getting pregnant.
Spina Bifida is a neural tube defect, in which a portion of the spine fails to fully form in an unborn child during the first month of pregnancy. There are three different types of spina bifida:
* Spina bifida occulta: a tiny opening, usually causes mild or no symptoms
* Spina bifida cystica - meningocele: a big enough opening so that some of the membrane surrounding the spinal cord sticks out through the opening
* Spina bifida cystica - myelomeningocele: the most serious kind, in which some of the spinal cord itself sticks out through the opening in the spine. (About.com, 2006)
The symptoms of spina bifida vary and the severity is widely dependant upon the extent and location of the defect. Many children born with spina bifida also suffer from hydrocephalus (pressure and spinal fluid back up in the brain), Arnold Chiari Malformations, developemental delays, incontinence of the bowels and bladder, amongst other symptoms.
There are currently an estimated 70,000 Americans living with spina bifida (SBAA, 2006). My 17 month old nephew is among those 70,000.
Aloshua was born in May of 2005 with spina bifida cystica- myelomeningocele, hydrocephalus and an Arnold Chiari Malformation.
We were not aware he had spina bifida until the morning after he was born. In the rush to get him on the ventilator (he was also born at 27 weeks gestation, unable to breathe on his own), the neonatologist never thought to check his back. Once the defect was discovered, he was transported to the Children’s Hospital for surgery. At only 4 days old (and weighing only 3pounds, 5 ounces), Aloshua underwent his first surgery.. to close his spine. Just a few short weeks later he again underwent surgery, this time to place a VP shunt.
He is doing well, but we do not yet know in what ways the spina bifida will affect him. We do know that the muscles in his legs do not work correctly and he will, if able to walk, require braces. He is also severely developmentally delayed, but again, we can’t say that is from the spina bifida because of all of his other problems and his premature birth.
So, as you can imagine, spina bifida awareness is near and dear.
Spina bifida is thought to be caused from a folic acid deficiency in the mother. Spina bifida usually occurs before a woman knows she is pregnant, which is why it is vital for women to ensure they get the recommended daily dosage of folic acid every single day.
Many cereals now contain 100% of the recommended dose. You can check out a list of those cereals at:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/cereals.htm
No matter how you go about getting the daily dose, just make sure you do (even if you aren’t planning to have children any time soon!)
More on Spina Bifida and Folic Acid:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/folicacid/women.htm
http://backandneck.about.com/b/a/257698.htm
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| aloplaying.jpg | 77.33 KB |
hmm I'd like to hear your opinions, not just copy-paste from a website. if this WAS all you, deepest apologies, just really sounded like you just pasted from a website.
http://www.progressiveu.org/190000-help-me-out
That was me. Having a nephew with spina bifida in the home, I've done a lot of research. References were noted. The only copy and paste was the three types of spina bifida (with reference given).
As you will notice from any of the blogs I've ever written, I give reference when reference is due.
"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us." -Marcel Proust
For some reason the links to references are all pointing to the Spina Bifida Association of America (SBAA) website... you'll have to copy and paste the link to the CDC and About if you want to check those websites out. I have no clue how to fix the problem.
"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us." -Marcel Proust
I am sorry about your nephew, but hope he teaches you as much about yourself as my son has taught me. I am concerned, though, about the folic acid. While it is true that insufficient folic acid can be a cause of spina bifida, it is not true that every child born with this condition is the result of the mother's diet. It is also not true that every mother who does not get enough folic acid will be guaranteed a baby with spina bifida. Another factor might be pollutants. We lived in SE Tenn and, at the time, it had the highest rate of this defect in the world.
Just wanted to point this out so you can help your nephew's mom and/or dad deal with the (unavoidable) "parental" guilt and "what-ifs" that go bump in the night. While it doesn't seem to be a big deal, we moms still think about it late at night and wonder what we did wrong or should have done.
Hope I don't sound too preachy. Just wanted to add some insite.
I in know way meant to come across as if folic acid was the only cause of spina bifida or that any woman that didn't take folic acid would be guaranteed to have a baby born with the condition. I simply meant to point out the importance of ensuring one gets enough folic acid in her diet. It may not guarantee that a baby will be born without spina bifida, but it does increase the chances quite significantly... and that's not something to take lightly by any means.
Thank you for your comments and best of luck with your son.
"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us." -Marcel Proust