Spina Bifida

Lecture FormatIntroduction and Connecting

CauseSymptoms

TypesTreatment

Implications for Child, Family, Society

I’ll Find a Way

Award Winning National Film Board Documentary

Nine Year Old Natalie with Spina Bifida& Kumakas youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-3YsXSgPH4

Taking Notes While Watching the FilmPhysical characteristics – what can you observe about her physical limitations? How does Spina Bifida impact her physically?What adaptations do you notice?How does Natalie cope? What are her strengths?What can you share about family support?

Kumakas Video

• Relationships• Observations about the child• Impact of Spina Bifida on the child, family• What strikes you about the video?

Incidence

Incidence of spina bifida

In Canada, about 1 out of every 2,500 babies is born with some type of spina bifida.

Facts About Spina Bifida

Type of malformation occurs during early fetal development.

Known as a type of neural tube defect (NTD), in which either the brain and spine or only the spine fails to develop properly in the womb.

There are three types of spina bifida, which vary according to the severity of the malformation:

Facts About Spina Bifida

Myelomeningocele: the most severe

form; both the spinal cord and its lining (the meninges) protrude from an opening in the spine

2. meningocele: only the lining protrudes

3. spina bifida occulta: the mildest form, there is a breach in the spinal vertebrae but it's covered by skin.

These malformations are usually in the lower back or at the level of the hips.

Diagnosis

A screening blood test, called an alphafetoprotein test (AFP), is done using the pregnant mother's blood when she is about 15-17 weeks. If results are abnormal, an ultrasound is done which can show the presence of spina bifida. An amniocentesis may be done to recheck the AFP level or do other tests.

HydrocephalusHydrocephalus is an abnormal buildup of the brain’s normal water-like fluid (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF). What is cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)? Cerebrospinal Fluid is a clear fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord, providing a cushion, nutrients and carrying away waste.

Hydrocephalus

How is hydrocephalus diagnosed?

The most common ways for diagnosing hydrocephalus are the CT (computerized tomographic) scans and MRI (magnetic

resonance imaging). They can accurately measure the size of the fluid spaces, or

ventricles, within the skull.

How can a person get hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus is either present at birth (congenital) or a result of an injury or trauma to the brain (acquired).

Can you cure hydrocephalus? No, you can usually just treat hydrocephalus.

How do you treat hydrocephalus?

The most common way is the surgical diversion of the excess fluid by placing a synthetic tube (shunt) into the ventricle.

It is a tube that diverts the excess fluid from the expanded brain cavity (ventricle) to another part of the body. This procedure re-directs the fluid to another body cavity such as the abdomen. Typically, the fluid is diverted to the peritoneal cavity in the abdomen or one of the chambers of the heart.

Can a shunt break?

Despite their success rate, shunts have potential problems.

The most common complications are: Bacterial infection and Obstruction.

Infected shunts are treated with antibiotics and the removal and replacement of the system.

Infections are typically accompanied by fever, redness and swelling along the tubing under the skin. Drainage of infected liquid (pus) from one of the incisions used to insert the shunt may also occur.

What problems are usually associated with hydrocephalus?

Some problems may be: Learning disabilitiesMemory deficits Psychological deficits Motor Skill disabilities Vision problems Hearing difficulties, Seizures, and Hormonal imbalances. Sensitivity to sound, pressure and bright lights may also be associated with the condition.

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