Cite this article as:
Lydia Garside. Spina Bifida – medical problems, Don't Forget the Bubbles, 2015. Available at: https://doi.org/10.31440/DFTB.6761
This series is covering all you need to know about spina bifida. In the previous posts we looked at issues around diagnosis and antenatal counselling. This week we look at the problems associated with spina bifida.
All body systems are involved in spina bifida. Issues may be:-
In addition to the central nervous system problems, spina bifida also affects the peripheral nervous system.
Patients can have lower motor neurone dysfunction, which presents as flaccid paralysis of the muscles. This is a fixed deficit i.e. there are no improvement in nerve function, and no deterioration (unless there are complications). About 10% have some spasticity in lower limbs. Sensory deficit limits feedback about muscle function, position of limb, and learning to walk.
Spina Bifida – medical problems
Tags: spina bifida
Lydia Garside. Spina Bifida – medical problems, Don't Forget the Bubbles, 2015. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.31440/DFTB.6761
All body systems are involved in spina bifida. Issues may be:-
Neurological
In addition to the central nervous system problems, spina bifida also affects the peripheral nervous system.
Patients can have lower motor neurone dysfunction, which presents as flaccid paralysis of the muscles. This is a fixed deficit i.e. there are no improvement in nerve function, and no deterioration (unless there are complications). About 10% have some spasticity in lower limbs. Sensory deficit limits feedback about muscle function, position of limb, and learning to walk.
Orthopaedic
Urological
Patients have inefficient emptying of bladder leading to:
Management of urological problems include:
Gastrointestinal
Skin
Sensory loss – reduced pain, position sense resulting in:
Also:
Back
Back pain is common – there are multiple causes
Respiratory
Endocrine
Other problems include:
You can check out the rest of the series here:-
About Lydia Garside
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