MY BIRTH DEFECT (SPINABIFIDA)


WHAT IT IS

I was born on February 13th 1979 with one of the most common birth defects in the country, Spinabifida. Spinabifida is caused when the spinal cord doesn't form correctly and the vertebrae and skin can't form around it. The spine and spinal cord also hold back amniotic fluid and since the spine broke the amniotic fluid escapes and is free to travel around to other areas of the body. This traveling fluid can cause serious problems like "water in the brain" which is what happened to me. "Water in the brain" just means that fluid that isn't supposed to be in my head got into my head. I have learning disabilities and I'm also far-sighted but those are the only affects it had on me. Because of the "water in the brain" the doctor had to implant a shunt into my head. A shunt is like a vaccuum. It sucks out all the fluid that isn't supposed to be in my head and delivers it into my stomach. From my stomach it goes where it is supposed to go. If the shunt ever fails, I can die. I also have some deformaties in my legs and feet and a triangular portion of my bladder is paralysed.

HOW COMMON IS IT?

This birth defect is very common although not a lot of people have heard of it. One in every 2,000 babies are born with it a year. When a woman has an amniostesis the two birth defects the doctors are trying to detect are Spinabifida and Down's Syndrome.

WHO CAN GET IT?

This birth defect is most common in pregnant women that are 35 and over. It is more likely to occur if there is a history of it in your family. If you are African American, Jewish, or rich then your chances of having a baby with this birth defect are lower.

WHAT CAUSES IT?

There is no definite known cause yet but it is suspected to be caused by a lack of folic acid in the diet. It can also be caused by drug use or alcohol use or use of other medications during pregnancy.

CAN IT BE PREVENTED?

Once your baby is born it can not be fixed, only treated, as I have been. There is a new medical procedure being developed right now that can correct the break inside the womb. This is ONLY experiemental right now but it looks promising. The deformaties and "water in the brain" can be treated after birth.

If you have any questions, please mail me. I have done 5 presentations on my birth defect so NO question is too personal. Please feel free to ask. Thanks!

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brianbaby33@hotmail.com