Spina Bifida
Air pollutants linked to higher risk of birth defects, researchers find
(Medical Xpress)—Breathing traffic pollution in early pregnancy is linked to a higher risk for certain serious birth defects, according to new research from the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Health
Mar 29, 2013 |
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Folic acid lowers risk of autism, study finds
Women who take a vitamin B9 supplement (folic acid) during the beginning weeks of their pregnancy can cut the risk of having a child with autism in half. But the supplement has no effect if it is started ...
Autism spectrum disorders
Mar 11, 2013 |
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No risks to pregnancy seen with morning sickness drug
(HealthDay)—A drug commonly used to treat severe cases of morning sickness does not appear to be linked to birth defects or other risks to the baby, a large new study suggests.
Obstetrics & gynaecology
Feb 27, 2013 |
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Caffeine linked to low birth weight babies
Maternal nutrition is important to a developing embryo and to the health of the child later in life. Supplementing the diet with specific vitamins is known to increase health of the foetus for example folic acid (vitamin ...
Obstetrics & gynaecology
Feb 18, 2013 |
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Bone marrow cells used in bladder regeneration
A new approach to bladder regeneration is capitalizing on the potential of two distinct cell populations harvested from a patient's healthy bone marrow, a new study reports.
Medical research
Feb 18, 2013 |
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Lower autism risk with folic acid supplements in pregnancy
Women who took folic acid supplements in early pregnancy almost halved the risk of having a child with autism. Beginning to take folic acid supplements later in pregnancy did not reduce the risk. This is shown in new findings ...
Autism spectrum disorders
Feb 12, 2013 |
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Lack of key enzyme in the metabolism of folic acid leads to birth defects
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have discovered that the lack of a critical enzyme in the folic acid metabolic pathway leads to neural tube birth defects in developing embryos.
Medical research
Jan 17, 2013 |
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Surgery establishes penile sensation in men with spina bifida
(Medical Xpress)—A procedure to establish feeling in the penis for men with spina bifida was performed for the first time in the United States in Seattle.
Surgery
Jan 02, 2013 |
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Research discovers likely basis of birth defect causing premature skull closure in infants
An international team of geneticists, pediatricians, surgeons and epidemiologists from 23 institutions across three continents has identified two areas of the human genome associated with the most common ...
Genetics
Nov 18, 2012 |
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Academic websites offer the most reliable pediatric orthopedic information online
Most parents frequently rely on the Internet for pediatric health information, and yet the content and quality of information can vary greatly from website to website. According to new research presented on Sunday, Oct. 21 ...
Pediatrics
Oct 21, 2012 |
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Founder of adaptive sports organization speaks about impact of sports on people with disabilities
Ashley Thomas was born with spina bifida and uses a wheelchair. She also holds a position on the U.S. national para-kayak team, and founded and runs a successful nonprofit organization called "Bridge II Sports." The North ...
Health
Oct 19, 2012 |
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Nutrient in eggs and meat may influence gene expression from infancy to adulthood
Just as women are advised to get plenty of folic acid around the time of conception and throughout early pregnancy, new research suggests another very similar nutrient may one day deserve a spot on the obstetrician's ...
Genetics
Sep 20, 2012 |
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Lack of nationwide surveillance may lead to clusters of congenital anomalies going unnoticed
One baby in every 45 was born with a congenital anomaly in 2010 according to the second annual report by the British Isles Network of Congenital Anomaly Registers (BINOCAR), released today (Thursday).
Health
Aug 01, 2012 |
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New research links mothers' lack of folic acid with cleft lip and palate
(Medical Xpress) -- New research by medics at Trinity College Dublin suggests that folic acid plays a vital role in preventing a major birth defect. This is in addition to the established protection against neural birth defect ...
Health
Jul 05, 2012 |
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Injury prevention for children with special needs
Injuries are both predictable and preventable and the leading cause of death and disability for all children 1 to 14 years of age. All children and their families need information on keeping their children safe as they grow ...
Health
May 15, 2012 |
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Spina bifida (Latin: "split spine") is a developmental congenital disorder caused by the incomplete closing of the embryonic neural tube. Some vertebrae overlying the spinal cord are not fully formed and remain unfused and open. If the opening is large enough, this allows a portion of the spinal cord to protrude through the opening in the bones. There may or may not be a fluid-filled sac surrounding the spinal cord. Other neural tube defects include anencephaly, a condition in which the portion of the neural tube that will become the cerebrum does not close, and encephalocele, which results when other parts of the brain remain unfused.
Spina bifida malformations fall into three categories: spina bifida occulta, spina bifida cystica with meningocele, and spina bifida cystica with myelomeningocele. The most common location of the malformations is the lumbar and sacral areas. Myelomeningocele is the most significant form and it is this that leads to disability in most affected individuals. The terms spina bifida and myelomeningocele are usually used interchangeably.
Spina bifida can be surgically closed after birth, but this does not restore normal function to the affected part of the spinal cord. Intrauterine surgery for spina bifida has also been performed and the safety and efficacy of this procedure is currently being investigated. The incidence of spina bifida can be decreased by up to 70% when daily folic acid supplements are taken prior to conception.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
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