Spina Bifida A disease typically found in infants

where there is a gap in the spine that causes a build up of cerebrospinal fluid

Nicole Harry and Maggie Hannon

Ann Perkins

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

3 Types of Spina Bifida(mild to severe)

Occulta Meningocele Myelomeningocele

Sypmtoms of Spina Bifida 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

Region of Brain Affected

Cerebellum Brain stem Frontal lobe

Diagnosis

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

Treatment

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

Prognosis

Some patients may need assistive devices for walking and learning

Orthopedic problems Learning disabilities such as trouble in

math, reading and language comprehension

Error in Communication

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

Surgeon

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

Physical Therapist

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

Conclusion Questions 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.

Documentations 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/brainandnervoussystemdisorders/pages/spina-bifida-myelomeningocele-and-meningocele.aspx

Spina bifida. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2014, from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spina-bifida/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-