Spina Bifida Essay

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Out of all genetic disorders, Spina Bifida is probably the most common in the United States(“How Often”). Approximately seven in every ten thousand babies are born with the condition(“How Often”). Spina Bifida is a neural tube defect which originates before birth causing disabilities in infants. According to Basile’s article in The Gale Encyclopedia of Genetic Disorders, there are three types of Spina Bifida; Occulta, Meningocele, and Myelomeningocele. Occulta is the most mild form and is usually only diagnosed if there is another problem that requires an x-ray, computerized tomography, CAT Scan, or magnetic resonance imaging, MRI (Watson). The patient usually does not need any additional treatment for Spina Bifida Occulta. These people are able to go their entire lives with out even knowing they have this disorder, so they have no disabilities. The second kind, Meningocele is not the most severe but it is the rarest form of Spina Bifida (:Spina Bifida”). This form is diagnosed by a fluid filled sac protruding out of the infant’s back (Watson). This sac is filled with fluid that protect the spinal cord, but the spinal cord itself is not damaged. Because the spinal cord is not damaged, the sac can be removed and most are left with out any disabilities (Watson). Usually when someone says that they have Spina Bifida they are talking about the third and most disabling form, Myelomeningocele (Watson). Myelomeningocele is much like Meningocele as there is a sac that protrudes out of the lower back, however with Myelomeningocele, part of the spinal cord comes out as well, making the infant prone to life threatening infections (“Spina Bifida”). There are several factors that can cause spina bifida. The most known cause of Spina Bifida is lack of folic acid during pregnancy (Basile). It can also be triggered by a defect in any of the genes that help control how the

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