Myelodysplasia refers to two medical problems: myelodysplastic syndromes and spina bifida. It can be caused by genetics or environmental factors and symptoms include fatigue, anemia, and susceptibility to infection. Treatment options include bone marrow transfusions and medication. Spina bifida is often diagnosed during prenatal screenings and can be corrected with surgery. Folic acid during pregnancy can reduce the risk of spina bifida.
The term “myelodysplasia” is used to refer to two different medical problems. The first is a family of conditions known as myelodysplastic syndromes which are characterized by inadequate production of blood cells in the bone marrow. The second is spina bifida, a congenital anomaly in which the spine and spinal cord do not form properly. When people talk about ‘myelodysplasia’, they usually think of conditions involving low production of blood cells.
Myelodysplasia can occur at any age. In some cases it is linked to genetic disorders that prevent the production of blood cells, while in other cases it is associated with environmental exposures such as radiation exposure. Patients can also develop this condition with no known cause. People who have been exposed to toxins and radiation are at increased risk of developing myelodysplasia among other health problems. Individuals with a history of such exposure should ensure it is noted in their medical records because it can impact medical treatment.
Patients with myelodysplasia develop symptoms such as fatigue, susceptibility to infection, anemia, and pale skin. Over time, the condition can progress to acute myeloid leukemia in some patients. There are different myelodysplastic syndromes that are linked to different symptoms and may involve different approaches to treatment. Diagnosis requires a series of tests to rule out other conditions causing similar conditions.
Curing myelodysplasia is not possible, but there are treatments available. Some patients benefit from bone marrow transfusions, in which healthy bone marrow is transplanted from a donor so that the patient’s body can start making enough blood cells. Others may take medications designed to encourage immature blood cells to mature so they have enough blood cells. Treating underlying genetic problems can also sometimes address myelodysplasia.
In the case of spina bifida, a neural tube defect involving the spine and spinal cord that forces part of the spinal cord to protrude through the spine, myelodysplasia is often diagnosed during prenatal screenings. The severity of this congenital anomaly can vary considerably, with some patients having relatively mild abnormalities while others may have severe neurological abnormalities such as incompletely formed brains. Surgery may be done after birth to correct the abnormality, and sometimes surgery during pregnancy is also an option. Intrauterine surgery is a delicate procedure performed by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. Studies have shown that taking folic acid during pregnancy can radically reduce the risk of spina bifida.
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