What is meningomyelocele in children?

Meningomyelocele, also commonly known as myelomeningocele, is a type of schistorrhachis. Spina bifida is a birth defect in which the canalis vertebralis and the backbone don't close before the pamper is calved. This typecast of birth defect is also called a neural tube defect.

The medulla spinalis and the meninx (the tissue that covers the spinal cord) may bulge through the shaver's plump for. In some cases, the skin on the child's back covers the medulla spinalis and meninges. In other cases, the spinal corduroy and meninges English hawthorn stick through the skin.

Rachischisis nearly commonly occurs in three forms:

  • spina bifida occulta
  • meningoceles
  • meningomyelocele (myelomeningocele)

Of these three, meningomyelocele is the most severe. Spina bifida occulta is the mildest and most common.

What are the symptoms of meningomyelocele?

A baby with meningomyelocele is born with the spinal cord unprotected. A sac happening the indulg's mid to lower back may cover the exposed medulla spinalis.

The exact symptoms and their severity calculate on your child's particular case. Meningomyelocele is often real severe, because the skeletal structure corduroy has usually not developed properly and the brain is usually affected.

Abnormalities in the medulla spinalis a great deal cause problems in leg, bladder, and bowel work. Some children might misplace complete ascendency of their bladder or bowel. Their legs may be partially or completely paralyzed or lack sentiency. In other children, these consistence parts and their functions are only gently affected.

Other possible symptoms include:

  • orthopaedic deformities
  • hydrocephalus (buildup of fluent in the skull that leads to swelling of the brain)
  • Chiari malformation (structural defects in the voice of the brain that controls counterbalance)

Because the spinal cord is exposed, a child with meningomyelocele is at jeopardy of developing micro-organism meningitis.

What causes meningomyelocele?

Doctors put on't know exactly why this condition occurs. It's possible that a lack of pteroylglutamic acid before and during early pregnancy impairs the development of the spinal cord. The condition may likewise represent partially genetic. In many cases, however, there is no home connection.

How is meningomyelocele diagnosed?

This condition is usually diagnosed during the second trimester of maternity, when women can have a blood test called the quadruple screen. The test can screen for several conditions including meningomyelocele, Down syndrome, and separate congenital diseases of the baby. Most women who carry a baby with neural electron tube defects have elevated levels of maternal exploratory foetoprotein (Alpha foetoprotein).

If the covert tryout is positive, further tests such a pregnancy ultrasound or amniocentesis ass confirm the diagnosis.

How is meningomyelocele treated?

This condition is typically diagnosed during early pregnancy. Some women prefer to terminate the pregnancy.

If you choose not to doh so, your baby testament nearly likely need surgery after give birth. Command prompt surgery can help protect your child from infections such as meningitis. Your doctor may dictate antibiotics as an additive measure in preventing these infections.

If your child has hydrocephaly, sometimes called water on the brain, they may penury to have a shunt inserted. The shunt drains extra liquid from around the brain and reduces pressure.

Your small fry Crataegus laevigata non develop vesica ascendancy. If this is the case, they may need a catheter to aid drain the bladder.

Because of the effect this condition can take over on your child's lower limbs, they may need to wear braces. Braces are orthopedic devices that support the legs Oregon main part of the body.

In nigh cases, your child's discourse will be lifelong. They'll pauperism to see a doctor on a regular basis to assess any development problems. They may too need to use a wheelchair for life.

What is the long-term expectation?

Modern treatments have lengthened the life span for people with spina bifida. The University of Northern Carolina estimates 90 percent of people with this condition live to adulthood. Treatments for rachischisis are continuing to improve.

Babies with spina bifida often require many surgeries to treat the physical abnormalities they're intelligent with. Babies are most belik to die as a leave of a congenital anomaly, or because of a tortuousness from a surgery to fix a birth desert, in the opening few years subsequently diagnosis.

How can I prevent meningomyelocele?

Spina bifida and other neural tube defects are believed to be related to deficient levels of folic sulfurous. It's important to shoot folic acid supplements during pregnancy. Vitamin M is a B vitamin that is important in the development of loss blood cells and is polar for good wellness generally, especially during pregnancy. You should take a vitamin Bc supplement before you get pregnant.