Meningomyelocele is a birth defect where the spine doesn’t close before birth, resulting in a visible pouch on the infant’s back. It is a form of spina bifida and can cause paralysis, loss of sensation, and other birth defects. Prenatal screening and postpartum diagnosis can confirm the condition, and surgery can help repair the birth defect. Lifelong follow-up care is necessary, and pregnant women should discuss folic acid needs with their doctor to reduce the risk of birth defects.
Meningomyelocele is a type of birth defect and may also be called myelomeningocele. It prevents the spine from closing before birth. This results in a visible pouch on the infant’s back. The spinal cord protrudes and nerves and tissue may also be exposed.
This birth defect is a form of spina bifida. Spina bifida is a group of birth defects involving the brain and spinal cord. In normal pregnancies, the two sides of the fetus’s spine fuse together during the first month of pregnancy. This is to cover the spinal cord, nerves, and surrounding tissue. A child born with meningomyelocele does not develop as it normally should in this regard.
If a child has meningomyelocele, the obvious sign — a pouch on the back — should be visible immediately. The child may also suffer from partial or complete paralysis, or lack of sensation, as well as weakness and loss of bladder and bowel control. She may also suffer from other birth defects, such as clubfoot or abnormal legs or feet. Your baby may also have hydrocephalus, which is excess fluid in the skull.
Pregnant women can undergo prenatal screening during the second trimester of pregnancy to help determine if their baby may have a birth defect. A blood test, called a quadruple screen, will check for meningomyelocele and other conditions, such as Down syndrome. Additional tests, such as an ultrasound or amniocentesis, may be needed to confirm the diagnosis. Amniocentesis is a test that analyzes the amniotic fluid that cradles the fetus in the uterus.
A postpartum diagnosis of meningomyelocele will typically include X-rays of the spinal area. A doctor may also conduct a neurological exam to check nerve function. This involves observing how the newborn reacts to pin pricks on the body.
Parents with a child suffering from meningomyelocele are usually carefully instructed in how to handle and position their child to avoid spinal cord damage. Your doctor will discuss your special needs regarding feeding and bathing. Due to the increased risk of infections, antibiotics may be prescribed as a preventative measure.
If your child has hydrocephalus, they may need a shunt to drain excess fluid. Your child’s doctor will likely recommend surgery to correct the meningomyelocele while your child is still very young. Surgery can help repair the birth defect.
The child will need lifelong follow-up care. A doctor will need to monitor your development. If your child has neurological problems, such as improper bladder or bowel function, further treatment, such as the use of a catheter, may be needed. Any muscle or joint problems can be relieved with physical therapy and the support of a splint or wheelchair.
While it’s not clear exactly what causes forms of spina bifida, it is thought to be a combination of factors. Environmental and genetic risk factors can contribute to meningomyelocele. A deficiency in folic acid, which is a B vitamin, is also likely. To help reduce the risk of a birth defect, pregnant women should discuss folic acid needs with their doctor.
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