Spina Bifida Case Study and Parent Information
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Case Study about Spina Bifida in Babies
John, not his real name, was presented to a medical facility with a history of weak legs, incontinence in the bowel and urine, sensation loss in the lower and bottom areas, increased head circumference, and was diagnosed to be Meningocoele T4 –T6, which is a sac-like protrusion with fluids from the spaces in spinal code, and Obstructive Hydrocephalus. The mother of the patient was always compliant with natal care during the pregnancy, where she had all the recommended immunizations. When she gave birth to John, doctors noticed that there was a mass at the upper side of the back, where a surgical operation was recommended, but due to lack of funds could not proceed with the operation.
When John was 2 years old, he was rushed to a hospital for treatment due to a convulsion that he had developed. However, at about 3 years old, John started to develop a change in behavior, which was now characterized by short temper and temper tantrums, and cried most of the time. There was a slight increase in the circumference of his head accompanied by other symptoms such as headache, back, and inability to move the right jaw and the right eye. Further complaints from the patient and the enlargement of his head to become more than that of an ordinary child of his age led to the seeking of medical intervention where he was diagnosed with Spina Bifida.
Patient Info about Spina Bifida
Basic general information: Spina Bifida is a medical condition that results when the spinal cord of a baby in the womb of a mother does not properly develop. The condition is a neural tube defect, which is the structure that develops into the brain of the child and the spinal cord. It can lead to mental and physical conditions, where up to 50% of the 4 million babies born annually in the US have Spina Bifida. Unlike before, the diagnosis of a child with a diagnosis of Spina Bifida is no longer a death, where 90 percent of the babies diagnosed with the condition not only live to become adults’ life but also live long and fulfilling lives.
Causes: Scientists suggested that Spina Bifida may be caused by multiple factors such as environmental, genetic, and nutritional factors (Philip et al., 2017)
Prevention of Spina Bifida: the best-recommended way of preventing it is by taking 400mg of folic acid on a daily basis. Research shows risks can be reduced by 70% if pregnant women take a multivitamin that has vitamin B with folic acid (Philip et al., 2017).
Symptoms: It presents various symptoms at various stages, which include headache and joints ache whole; the most distinctive one is that parents need to watch out for Spina Bifida cystic, which is a physical and visible protrusion.
Diagnosis: Physical examination may not suffice the diagnosis of the condition. It can be tested in advance using maternal blood sample tests known as the Maternal Serum Alpha-feta Protein (MSAFP) or the use of ultrasound (Micu et al., 2018).
Treatment: Treatment options vary depending on the type and the complexity of the condition. Some of the treatment options include but are not limited to the treatment of complications that arise from the condition, bladder and bowel management, and surgery.
References
Micu, R., Chicea, A. L., Bratu, D. G., Nita, P., Nemeti, G., & Chicea, R. (2018). Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in the prenatal diagnosis of open spina bifida. Medical Ultrasonography, 20(2), 221-227.
Phillips, L. A., Burton, J. M., & Evans, S. H. (2017). Spina bifida management. Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care, 47(7), 173-177.