SPINAL DYSRAPHISM
Spinal Dysraphism is a type of neural tube defect referred to as NTD. It is the term used to describe a group of irregularities in the spine that develops before birth. These anomalies are the result of a closing of the neural tube early in their fetal life or an abnormal development of the caudal cell mass.
Spinal Dysraphism is the most common neural tube defect and occurs very early in a woman's pregnancy, often before the pregnancy is known. Surgery is usually performed on the open wound of a newborn within 24 hours of the baby's birth in order to reduce the risk of infection and preserve as much functionality as possible.
Spinal Dysraphism comes in two forms, open and closed. The open form is called Spina Bifida Cystica while the closed form is called Spina Bifida Occulta. The effects of a Spinal Dysraphism disfect range from mild to severe. Some of the common indicators of this condition include an irregularity in the structure of the midline of the back, neural arch deficiences, skin defects, and failure in the nerves, and spinal cord. The most severe effects can result in a total failure of the neural tube and an exposure of the spinal cord at the surface.
When dealing with the closed form of Spinal Dysraphism, "occult" means "hidden" and means that most signs are not clearly visible in a newborn. The effects of the Dysraphism do not usually become apparent until the baby grows and unfortunately by this time, cord tethering has already taken place, causing permanent and irreversible neurological damage.
Beginning signs of Dysraphism include deep dimples in the lumbo-scral area, an atypical hairy patch of skin located on the back, a mass such as a lipoma on the midline of the back, a "tail" that projects from the lower back, a skin marking that resembles a cigarette burn, and anorectal abnormalitities.
Open form of Spinal Dysraphism is often the most immediately recognizable and produces a great deal of abnormalities. These abnormalities that are associated with Spinal Dysraphism include Myelocele, Meningocele, and Myelomeningcocele. Myelocele is a sac that projects through the faulty neural arches and contains only the spinal cord. Meningocele is the term for an opening in the spine. Through this opening, a fluid-filled sac sticks out. This usually has a very slight adverse affect and is simple to deal with.
The most complicated abnormality associated with Spinal Dysraphism is a condition called Myelomeningocele. This is a condition where the neural arches are not successful in closing during the embryonic stage. This exposes the nervous and the meningeal tissue of the spinal cord and spinal canal causing a great deal of problems and complications. These complications include motor damage as well as weakness, incontinence, and disability. Disabilities that can result include paralysis, bladder and bowel dysfunction, weakness, kidney and liver damage, scoliosis, hip dislocations, tethered spinal cord, and other orthopaedic problems.
Most couples who give birth to a child with Spinal Dysraphism do not have a family history of the disease. The cause of Dysraphism is unknown but is considered to be caused by a multitude of factors including genetics factors and environmental factors.