Spina bifida is a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings. Spina bifida occurs at the end of the first month of pregnancy when the two sides of the embryo's spine fail to join together, leaving an open area. In some cases, the spinal cord or other membranes may push through this opening in the back. The condition usually is detected before a baby is born and treated right away.
This article caught my attention in the New York Times because about a month ago our AP Biology class had a very fascinating discussion on this topic of surgical headway. The concept that has been speculated for the past few years is whether or not fetal surgery would work to the child’s advantage; it would be operated on in the womb, instead of after birth. The scientists believed that the faster they could tackle an issue with a child the better off that child would be. This article is a perusal about spina bifida, a crippling spinal abnormality, which scientists use a surgical process to fix.
This disability is very serious and can cause some serious damage; because of the spinal cord exposure there is nerve damage, there are issue regarding the brainstem, the child may have lower body paralysis, and will have bladder nerve damage. One child, Tyson, had an extremely dramatic case of the spina bifida. According to his doctors it was “the worst they had ever seen and it would be likely that he wouldn’t be able to breathe on his won.” However, with this surgery, he is able to breathe on his own, and he can almost walk without his leg braces. He shows no brainstem malformation and has even started to talk. It is interesting to learn about the new innovations that science has brought about.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/10/health/10fetal.html
posted for P.Gordon
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