Transcript Spina Bifida

Nicole Harry and Maggie Hannon
New born DOB- 6/14/14
 Diagnosed with Spina Bifida in the womb
 Myelomeningocele is the type of Spina
Bifida she was diagnosed with
 Scheduled for surgery on 6/16/14

Occulta
 Meningocele
 Myelomeningocele

Puts damaging pressure on spinal cord
and brain (called hydrocephalus)
 Difficulty swallowing, eating, breathing
 Stiffness in upper arms and legs
 Gastrointestinal conditions
 Depression
 Sac protruding from lumbar region
 Kidney problems due to poor drainage

Cerebellum
 Brain stem
 Frontal lobe

Blood is drawn from the mother to be
tested for an abnormally high level of
alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)
 An ultra sound is performed to check for
any abnormalities
 Amniocentesis test is taken if the results
of the blood test are positive for AFP and
the ultra sound shows no abnormalities

Surgically implant a hollow tube (shunt)
in brain to drain fluid into abdomen
 Infant is operated on in 2 or 3 days after
birth to remove the lump

Some patients may need assistive
devices for walking and learning
 Orthopedic problems
 Learning disabilities such as trouble in
math, reading and language
comprehension

Spina bifida affects the interneurons in
the spinal cord below the bump
 Signals from sensory
neurons can not pass
through the interneurons
because they are not
structurally intact

Operate on patients with deformities
and diseases
 Education needed is 4 years in
undergraduate school, 4 years in
medical school, and 2 to 8 years of
internship
 They surgically remove the lesion on the
lower back and correct the spinal issues

Help injured or impaired patients to
improve their motor functions and
manage their pain
 Need a Doctor of Physical Therapy
degree (between 6 to 8 years)
 They help the patient by creating
exercises to regain strength and function
in their muscles

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One body system affected by spina bifida is the
muscular system because in serious cases paralysis
and other losses of motor function can occur.
Another body system affected by this disease is the
skeletal system because the spine can curve and
joints can be dislocated.

One medical intervention that may help the patient
is surgery to remove the bump on their back. Another
medical intervention is physical therapy to regain
strength and muscle usage.

People with ALS have all their mental and senses
intact because their brain and sensory neurons are
not primarily affected by the disease but the motor
neurons degenerate causing the body to not be
able to carry out muscle movement.
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Liptak, G. (n.d.). What is Spina Bifida? Retrieved November 7, 2014, from
http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.evKRI7OXIoJ8H
Myelomeningocele: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (n.d.).
Retrieved November 13, 2014, from
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article
Spina Bifida Fact Sheet. (2013, June 1). Retrieved November 10, 2014,
from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/spina_bifida/detail
Spina Bifida: Myelomeningocele and Meningocele. (2009, December
29). Retrieved November 10, 2014, from
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/en/healthaz/conditionsanddiseases/bra
inandnervoussystemdisorders/pages/spina-bifida-myelomeningoceleand-meningocele.aspx
Spina bifida. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2014, from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spinabifida/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20035356
Summary. (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2014, from
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm#tab-4
Summary. (n.d.). Retrieved November 13, 2014, from
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physicians-and-surgeons.htm#tab-