10 Facts About Spina Bifida
October is Spina Bifida awareness month!
The month of October is near & dear to our hearts as one of the big inspirations behind Everything But Typical has Spina Bifida. (Check out our About page to read more about Roman!)
We use this time to spread awareness & promote acceptance of those with Spina Bifida as well as other disabilities. If you learn even one new thing this month, we are doing our job right!
Keep reading to find out our favorite facts about Spina Bifida…
Spina Bifida is a neural tube defect. It can happen anywhere along the spine if the neural tube does not close all the way. When the neural tube doesn’t close all the way, the backbone that protects the spinal cord doesn’t form and close as it should. This often results in damage to the spinal cord and nerves.
Spina Bifida means “split spine” & is one of the most common birth defects in the world.
There are actually lots of different types of Spina Bifida. The four main forms are occulta, closed neural tube defects, meningocele, and myelomeningocele.
Spina Bifida can range from mild to severe. Some people may have little to no disability!
A lot of times, Spina Bifida is diagnosed prenatally. But did you know that there are some mild cases that may go unnoticed until after birth? Very mild forms (spinal bifida occulta), in which there are no symptoms, may never be detected.
Sometimes babies with Spina Bifida will get hydrocephalus, which literally means “water on the brain.” It is a buildup of fluid that usually requires a shunt to drain. The shunt is a tiny tube that drains the excess fluid from the brain to the abdomen where it is absorbed by the body.
The location of the defect in the spinal column determines the number of functions it can potentially affect. For example, those with Spina Bifia on the lower part of the spine might have more use of their legs. The higher the defect is on the spine, the greater potential for affected functioning.
Up to 68% of people with Spina Bifida are allergic to latex.
Performing corrective surgery on babies while they are still in the womb (known as fetal surgery) can help reduce the damage to the spinal cord by shielding the nerves and sealing in spinal fluid sooner.
Because of the creative and life-saving technological advances, about 90% of people with Spina Bifida enjoy beneficial and full lives.