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Conditions

Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida

Spina Bifida is a term used to describe a series of birth defects that affect the central nervous system and the spine. The most common type is called spina bifida myelomeningocele, and it involves a baby being born with several vertebrae of their spine exposed, opening up the body’s nervous system to infection. Symptoms vary in severity, but partial or total paralysis of the lower limbs is common, as is a build up of cerebral fluid in the brain, that must be drained regularly to avoid placing the brain under undue pressure. Fortunately, advancements in surgery have meant that children born with the condition with survive into adulthood and lead independent lives. The causes are not totally understood, but are there is a genetic factor, as well as a lack of folic acid during pregnancy.

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my daughter has had two parallel marks just at the base of her spine since birth, is there anything that i should be worrying about here?





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hi i was diagnosed with Spina bifida acculta when i was 14 but it doesnt really cause me any problems.....now and again i will have back ache. I also have a slight curvature of the spine. i want to know what the chances are of passing the condition onto my child when i decide to become pregnant and if any what i can do to prevent it happening.





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Hi, Even I was diagnosed with Spina Bifida, I never faced any problem, but I have a slight curvature & hair grown on the lower part of spine. If u came to know about the chances of passing the condition to the child let me kno

i took folic acid to reduce chances of passing it on and i have had 3 healthy children

can i ask where you got your information about spina bifda and problems with lungs and heart my son has about 20 consulants invovled and umteen scans and noone has ever once told us the info you gave out on ur programme have you made sure what you have said is correct through spina bifda assocation





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HI there my name is Kate i am an ambassador for a fabulous campaign called Models of Diversity. We campaign for more diversity in the fashion world whereter it be race, size disability and so on. I watched you programme this week and was inspired by Kay your young stylist with Spina Bifida. We are about to make history with the biggest catwalk show this country has seen for plus size women, we would LOVE for Kay to be one of our stylists. I would like to know how i can make contact with her.





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my daughter is 5 and has spina bifida and hydrochelaus,i also have never been told that she could have heart and lung problems. you never mentioned most people with spina bifida have bladder and bowel problems and a lot have hydochelaus aswell. it would have been better if u wanted to inform people of what spina bifida is , you should do a longer more in depth program because it would be great if people were more aware of what spina bifida is.





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On the show it said SB can affect heart and lungs. I have it and have never read this or been told there's any thing involving heart and lungs to do with the condition. Did anyone else think this was odd?





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i was a very awkward BUT lucky baby.. i was born with spina bifida and the cord was wrapped round my neck twice. being born with spina bifida i was one of the lucky ones. It does not affect me at all. im 19 and i lead a normal healthy lifestyle. all i have to remind me of it is a 2 inch scar on the top of my spine. and apparently the doctors said if it was 2mm to 3mm lower i would have been permanently paralyzed. So yeah, i was very lucky..





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My child was born with a small indentation above the bottom at the bottom of the spine.We were told it was the beginning of spina bifoda in the womb which didnt develop,he is now 26 and still has the indentation is there anything we should do.





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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