Spina Bifida Is The Most Common Type of Neural Tube Birth Defect: Spina Bifida Defects May Be Caused By Certain Medications Given to a Mother Before or During Pregnancy by Texas Spina Bifida Lawyer, Drug Neural Tube Defect Lawyer, Infant Spinal Cord Defect Lawyer, Brain Birth Defect Lawyer, Spina Bifida Defect Lawyer, and Spina Bifida Dangerous Drug Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

A growing body of scientific evidence indicates that certain medications may cause an increased risk of neural tube birth defects including spina bifida in children.  Women that are pregnant, attempting to get pregnant, or may become pregnant should be aware that certain antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and other medications may cause an increased risk of birth defects.  Further, parents with children that have spina bifia, neural tube birth defects, or other birth defects that they believe may be the result of a medication should report the adverse effect to their doctor and the FDA.

Spina bifida is the most common neural tube defect and it is estimated that there are approximately 70,000 people in the United State living with spina bifida.  It is an all too common birth defect in the United States affecting about approximately 1,500 new born babies each year. 

In a child that has a spina bifida birth defect, the fetal spinal column doesn't close completely during the first month of pregnancy.  These children typically suffer nerve damage from the birth defect that causes at least some paralysis of the child's legs. Severe cases of spina bifida can result in full or partial paralysis and other problems such as hydrocephalus, bowel and bladder problems, and learning disabilities.

Spina Bifida Is The Most Common Type of Neural Tube Birth Defect: Spina Bifida Defects May Be Caused By Certain Medications Given to a Mother Before or During Pregnancy by Texas Spina Bifida Lawyer, Drug Neural Tube Defect Lawyer, Infant Spinal Cord Defect Lawyer, Brain Birth Defect Lawyer, Spina Bifida Defect Lawyer, and Spina Bifida Dangerous Drug Lawyer Jason S. Coomer

There are several forms of spina bifida and the birth defect can cause mild to severe health problems.  Myelomeningocele spina bifida is the most severe form of spina bifida.  Myelomeningocele is where the spinal cord and meninges protrude from a spinal opening.  In myelomeningocele spina bifida cases, the new born child will require surgery after birth to put the exposed nerves and cord into the spinal canal.  Children with myelomingocele are at high risk of infection until the back is closed surgically. In spite of surgery,  in these myelomeningocele spina bifida cases, some nerve damage is usually permanent and will include paralysis and bowel and bladder problems.

Bladder and bowel problems as well as paralysis are common in most forms of spina bifida.  Both spina bifida bowel and bladder problems as well as spina bifida paralysis are caused by nerve damage.  The nerves that control bowel and bladder functions are damaged and unable to work properly as the nerves that control other parts of the body can be damages and unable to control other parts of the body. These damaged nerves prevent the child from being able to control their bodies including their bowels and bladder.  As such, many children suffering from severe spina bifida do not have full control of the bladder and bowels.  These spina bifida bowel and bladder problems can often result in urinary tract infections, suffer kidney damage, and incontinence.

Several forms of spina bifida can also cause hydrocephalus, which is increased fluid on the brain.  The increased fluid or hydrocephalus can be caused when the fluid around the brain cannot drain properly.  In cases of spina bifida hydrocephalus, the spina bifida defect will typically block the fluid's normal path and will often require a shunt to be placed in the child to drain the fluid from the brain and reduce fluid pressure on the brain. 

Meningocele spina bifida is the rarest type of spina bifida where the protective membrane covering the spinal cord (the meninges) develops incorrectly and protrudes through an opening in the spine. Because this form of spina bifida does not involve the spinal cord itself, meningocele spina bifida can usually be treated through surgically and allow children to develop normally without paralysis. However, children with meningocele spina bifida can develop hydrocephalus and bowel or bladder problems.

Occulta spina bifida is the mildest form of spina bifida where there is a small defect, gap or malformation in one or more of the vertebrae of the spine.  In occulta spina bifida cases, there is often no nerve damage or symptoms for the child, but as the child develops problems may arise through progressive neurological deterioration. Some affected individuals have a dimple, hairy patch, dark spot or swelling over the affected area, and most affected individuals with mild occulta spina bifida will need no treatment.