2. Meningomyelocoele is the most severe type of SPINA
BIFIDA.
Spina Bifida means "split spine”
4 types of Spina Bifida are:
◦ Spina bifida occulta,
◦ Meningocele
◦ Spina bifida cystica (Myelomeningocele) and
◦ Lipomeningocele
3. Meningomyelocoele
◦ occurs due to Failure of closure of the neural tube
during the third week of gestation
◦ abnormal differentiation of the embryonic neural
tube
In Meningomyelocoele
A cystic swelling occurs over the site of the spinal
defect which contains meninges, nerve roots, and the
spinal cord itself which has left the vertebral canal
4.
5. 1-2/1000 live birth
Neural tube defects are second most common type of
birth defect
Myelomeningocele is the most common form of
neural tube defect.
Slightly higher in females than in males (1.2:1)
85% occur in lumbosacral
region
6. Poor nutrition - Folic acid deficiency
Genetics (People of Northern European and
Hungarian ancestry have the highest rates of the
disease)
Chromosome abnormalities:
◦ Trisomies 13 and 18
◦ Triploidy
◦ Single gene mutations
7. Maternal obesity, hyperthermia
pregnancies complicated by diabetes at conception
Drugs: valproate, carbamazepine and drugs to induce
ovulation
Maternal exposures to fumonisins, electromagnetic
fields, hazardous waste sites, disinfection by-products
found in drinking water and pesticides
8. Spina bifida is caused by the failure of the neural tube
to close during the first month
of embryonic development (often before the mother
knows she is pregnant).
Under normal circumstances, the closure of the
neural tube occurs around the 23rd (rostral closure)
and 27th (caudal closure) day after fertilization.
9.
10. Due to risk factor
Failure of NTD to close during 1st month of embryonic
development
Increase central nervous system pressure
Fails to close properly
NTD occur
11. Both meninges and spinal cord protrude into the skin
of the back
Leak of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is common
Severe neurological deficits are common
Risk for bacterial meningitis
Paraplegia
Diminished control of lower limbs, bladder and
bowel
Hydrocephalus often accompanies
Short stature and precocious puberty
12. Orthopedic abnormalities (i.e., club foot, hip
dislocation)
Bladder and bowel control problems, including
incontinence, urinary tract infections, and poor renal
function.
Pressure sores and skin irritations
Abnormal eye movement
68% of children with spina bifida have
an allergy to latex
Paralysis
13. Scoliosis
Back pain
Partial or complete lack of sensation
Weakness of the hips, legs, or feet of a newborn
Other symptoms may include:
Hair at the back part of the pelvis called the sacral
area
Dimpling of the sacral area
Difficulty swallowing, which can lead to choking.
Hoarseness.
Breath-holding and problems breathing during sleep.
Below-average intelligence.
14. Primary Functional deficits System Congenital Anomalies
Lower limb paralysis
Sensory loss
Bladder and bowel
dysfunction
Cognitive dysfunction
Cranial nerve dysfunction
◦ Ocular muscle palsies,
◦ Swallowing andeating
problems and
◦ Abnormal phonation
Facial clefts
Heart malformations, and
Genitourinary tract
anomalies
Urinary tract anomalies
◦ solitary kidney or
◦ malformed ureters
15. Ultrasound during the second trimester
The diagnosis of myelomeningocele is certain when 3
classic central findings are present in ultrasonography
◦ concavity of the frontal bones,
◦ ventriculomegaly, and
◦ Chiari II malformation.
Positive screening for maternal serum alpha-
fetoprotein (AFP)
Screening of the amniotic fluid for AFP, as well as for
the presence of acetylcholinesterase
16. Intrauterine surgery
Post-natal surgery:- Closure of the
Myelomeningocele is performed immediately after
birth if external CSF leakage is present and typically
within the first 24-48 hours in the absence of CSF
leakage
Multidisciplinary interventions needed to prevent
progressive deterioration of multiple body systems
Treatment team consists of pediatric specialists in
◦ Physical medicine and rehabilitation
◦ Neurosurgery
◦ Urology
17. ◦ Orthopedics along with
◦ Pediatric nursing
◦ Physical therapy
◦ occupational and recreational therapy
◦ psychology and
◦ medical social work
19. Place the child in prone position.
Cover the affected area with sterile gauze piece
dipped in normal saline.
Maintain hydration.
Monitor for associated defects.
20. Catheters
Braces
High fiber diet
Antibiotics may be used to treat or prevent infections
such as meningitis or urinary tract infections.
21. Initial nursing management of the child with
myelomeningocele involves preventing trauma to the
meningeal sac and preventing infection before
surgical repair of the defect.
Preventing Infection
Promoting Urinary Elimination
Assessing urinary function
Performing clean intermittent catheterization
22. Dietary supplementation with folic acid has been
shown to be helpful in reducing the incidence of
spina bifida. Sources of folic acid include whole
grains, fortified breakfast cereals, dried beans, leaf
vegetables and fruits.
It is recommended that any woman considering
becoming pregnant take 0.4 mg of folic acid a day.
Pregnant women need 1 mg per day.
23. Difficult delivery with problems resulting from a
traumatic birth, including cerebral palsy and
decreased oxygen to the brain
Frequent urinary tract infections
Hydrocephalus
Loss of bowel or bladder control
Meningitis
Permanent weakness or paralysis of legs
24. Many individuals with spina bifida have an
associated abnormality of the cerebellum, called
the Arnold Chiari II malformation. In affected
individuals, the back portion of the brain is displaced
from the back of the skull down into the upper neck.
25. Specific areas of difficulty in some individuals
include planning, organizing, initiating, and working
memory. Problem-solving, abstraction, and visual
planning may also be impaired.
Children with spina bifida and shunted hydrocephalus
have higher rates of ADHD.
26. Individuals with spina bifida may struggle
academically, especially in the subjects
of mathematics and reading. In one study, 60% of
children with spina bifida were diagnosed with a
learning disability.
27. Compared to typically developing children, youths
with spina bifida may have fewer friends and spend
less time with peers.