SPINA BIFIDA AND HYDROCEPHALUS
Introduction to the disabilities
Spina bifida affects babies very early in pregnancy, when
the spine and
brain are being formed. It is a fault in the development
of the spine,
which exposes the spinal cord and nerves.
This often results in paralysis below the level of the impairment,
together with sensory loss. Walking may be difficult or
impossible.
Hydrocephalus happens when the fluid in the brain cannot
drain away into
the bloodstream because the normal pathways are blocked.
The excess pressure has to be relieved quickly to minimise
damage to the
brain. New drainage pathways are opened, either by inserting
a fine tube
(called a shunt) inside a space in thebrain or by making
a small hole in
the floor of one of these spaces (called a ventriculostomy).
Both
treatments involve anoperation.
Many people with spina bifida also have hydrocephalus, but
it can occur by
itself - after meningitis, a head injury, stroke, or in
babies born
prematurely.
Prevention
The vitamin, folic acid, helps prevent spina bifida in pregnancy.
Women
should take a 400 microgram dose daily - from when they
stop contraception
until the end of the 12th week of pregnancy. 400 microgram
tablets can be
bought over the counter in pharmacies and health food shops.
Women whe have already had a spina bifida pregnancy, or
know someone in
the family who has had spina bifida, should take higher-dose
folic acid -
but the higher dose is only available on prescription.
Information Courtesy of:
Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
Help
For advice and information about any aspect of spna bifida
and
hydrocephalus, please contact:
ASBAH
National Centre
42 Park Road
Peterborough
PE1 2UQ
Tel: 01733 555988
Fax: 01733 555985
Email: info@asbah.org
For Further information visit the website:
www.asbah.org
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