{"id":10058,"date":"2019-08-14T07:26:17","date_gmt":"2019-08-14T07:26:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=10058"},"modified":"2021-04-25T21:03:53","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T21:03:53","slug":"15-frequent-causes-of-spina-bifida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/15-frequent-causes-of-spina-bifida\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Frequent Causes of Spina Bifida"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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In the first weeks of gestation, an embryo will experience rapid changes. It will begin its transformation from a clump of cells into a fetus. One essential feature that forms during this time is the neural tube. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is what will go on to make up the tissue, nerves, and bones of the spine. The end of the neural tube will develop into the brain and the skull. When the neural tube doesn\u2019t develop properly, it turns into a congenital neural tube defect. One such defect that results from an improperly formed neural tube is spina bifida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who suffer from spina bifida have spinal columns that have failed to close during development. This results in the nerves along the spinal column being exposed. In many cases, a sac of tissue will form around the exposed areas that are filled with nerves and parts of the spinal cord. As many as 2,000 births every year in the USA are affected by spina bifida.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Hyperthermia<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some studies show that women who are exposed to high temperatures in the early weeks of pregnancy can suffer from neural tube defects. Extremely hot temperatures such as those encountered in a spa, hot tub, or even during a long unconditioned trip can increase the chances of spina bifida developing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A sustained high core temperature such as that experienced during a fever or illness can increase the chance of tube defects developing. Any environment that causes transient hyperthermia may cause serious fetal harm during its development. Maternal hyperthermia <\/a>can cause harm from conception through the 8th week of fetal gestation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to spina bifida, a fetus can also develop other neural tube disorders such as anencephaly. There is no known exact temperature or even duration of exposure that defines what will cause a neural tube defect such as spina bifida. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pregnant women or who are trying to become pregnant are recommended to avoid high temperatures as a precaution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Genetic factors<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Neural tube defects such as spina bifida tend to run in families, though there are mixed inheritance patterns. Most children born with spina bifida come from families that don\u2019t have a history of the disorder, however most who suffer from spina bifida are also infertile<\/a>. When a woman has previously given birth to a child with a neural tube defect, the chances of her next child having a defect increase eightfold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spina bifida specifically is also more often seen in women, Hispanics, and whites. Families that have had several children born with neural tube defects are twice as likely to have another child with spina bifida. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are rare cases in which spina bifida will appear alongside Patau’s syndrome, which is a genetic disorder. It is also seen at times in children who suffer from Edwards’ syndrome or Down’s syndrome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chorionic villus sampling or an amniocentesis test can determine if the fetus is afflicted with either of these conditions early in the pregnancy.
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3. Medication<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prescription is known to have long-term side effects that are not always understood. There are some medications <\/a>that do in fact increase the chances of a person\u2019s pregnancy resulting in various neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Several anti-seizure medications such as Depakene are known to trigger neural tube defects such as spina bifida. It is believed these types of medication reduces the ability of the body to absorb folic acids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other medications used to help manage diabetes have been directly linked to an increase in spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Some ingredients contained in herbal supplements may increase the chances of spina bifida or other neural tube defects developing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patients who are suffering from epilepsy, obesity, take medications for mental health issues or who have trouble controlling their insulin levels should consider alternatives prior to getting pregnant. Talking to a medical professional prior to pregnancy can reduce the risks.
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4. Diabetes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gestational diabetes and pregestational insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus are serious conditions that can negatively affect a fetus during pregnancy. Women who are unable to manage their diabetes <\/a>or those who are taking certain medications are at a higher risk of carrying a child who develops spina bifida. Maternal type 1 diabetes has also been linked to spina bifida, though it is not always a confirmation of the defect developing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alpha-fetoprotein is an important nutrient that helps with fetus development, IDDM inhibits the production during gestation which can trigger neural tube defects such as spina bifida and other neural tube defects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus that is well-controlled results in a lower risk of birth defects though gestational diabetes is not known to increase the risks of developing spina bifida any more than a normal pregnancy. Women who are at risk should speak with a medical professional in regards to changing existing medications or reducing their sugar level prior to becoming pregnant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Folate deficiency<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Folic acid<\/a> is essential in maintaining female reproductive health. Folate helps to promote a healthy pregnancy and a healthy uterus. Women who have an inadequate intake of folic acid before becoming pregnant and during the early stages of their pregnancy are at a higher risk of their fetus developing spina bifida. Careful monitoring and proper dosages should be provided by a healthcare professional to avoid risks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies have also shown that those who have spina bifida tend to metabolize folic acid at a more rapid rate than usual. This may mean that folate deficiency is simply an underlying problem in spina bifida patients as opposed to its main cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women who are exposed to environmental or other agents that disrupt folate metabolism during neural tube development are at a higher risk of their fetus developing spina bifida. Consuming a diet rich in folic acid or taking a foliate supplement before pregnancy and during the first weeks of gestation will reduce the chances of a fetus developing neural tube defects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Environmental factors<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The reasons for the development of spina bifida are not always known. Many factors such as exposure to harmful substances, environmental factors, or even lack of proper nutrition may contribute to the development of spina bifida. Some known environmental factors that cause spina bifida<\/a> exist such as extreme temperatures and exposure to certain medications. Many chemicals that can negatively affect the development of a fetus and cause neural tube defects such as spina bifida. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the CDC, come pesticides such as methyl parathion can increase the chances of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. In a recent study, researchers tested families who were exposed to this chemical. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They noted that they were five times more prone to spina bifida developing during pregnancy when either parent was exposed prior to birth. In addition to these harmful pesticides, many hormones used on farm animals as well as other chemicals used in agriculture increase the chances of spina bifida developing during early pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Obesity<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Women, who are obese prior to becoming pregnant, are at a higher risk of developing a fetus that has tube birth defects. Those that have a BMI of 30 or more are considered obese and in this population and an increased number of births have been noted to have spina bifida. There is no direct reason for the increase in occurrence although it is thought that obesity <\/a>affects the way the body absorbs folic acid. Even with the periconceptional intake of folic acid, women who are obese or morbidly obese prior to conception still remain at a higher risk of their child developing spina bifida or other neural tube defects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congenital heart defects are also common in those who are suffering from obesity prior to pregnancy. Many children born with spina bifida or other neural tube defects often will have some form of a congenital heart defect. However, not all infants that develop spina bifida from an obese parent will develop a heart problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Maternal age<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Though the exact mechanisms are unknown, maternal age is closely linked with the chance of a fetus developing Spina bifida and other neural tube defects. Spina bifida is most often seen in pregnant women under the age of 19, and the younger the mother the higher the chances are of the defect developing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several other factors that come into play in the development of spina bifida, mainly the levels of vitamin B-9 in the body. It is thought that developing bodies such as those in teenage girls consume higher amounts of folic acid which leaves less available for fetal development. Also, most women of childbearing age won\u2019t begin taking a multivitamin <\/a>containing folic acid until they are older. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking pregnancy supplements as soon as one becomes aware of their pregnancy is the best way to support healthy neural tube development and growth. These should contain high amounts of folic acid and must be consumed during the entire first trimester to reduce the chances of spina bifida from developing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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