Spina Bifida Research Paper
May 8, 2013
Risks and Rewards of Prenatal Surgery for Spina Bifida
New advances in surgery are allowing prenatal repair (in utero). Are the results worth the risks involved for both the mother and unborn child? For me, I believe the answer would be yes. I would be willing to risk anything to give my child a chance at a normal, healthy life. I believe all children deserve that chance.
A friend of mine has a daughter that is 22 weeks pregnant. She recently found out that her unborn son has spina bifida. She was told about a study at Vanderbilt for prenatal repair of spina bifida. Without this surgery her son would be born paralyzed. She has decided that the benefits are worth the risk and has been accepted into the study. She will have …show more content…
As with other birth defects, most myelomeningoceles are discovered by routine ultrasound evaluation between 16 and 18 weeks into the pregnancy. Sometimes, a blood test known as maternal serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is also positive, triggering the ultrasound. Sonographic features suggestive of myelomeningocele include a cystic mass anywhere on the spine. If no skin covers the defect, alpha fetoprotein levels in the blood and amniotic fluid will be elevated and support the diagnosis. (“The Children’s Hospital of …show more content…
Fetal surgeons perform a laparotomy (an incision across the mother’s abdomen), the uterus is opened and the baby’s back is rotated into view. A pediatric neurosurgeon removes the MMC sac, if one is present, and closes skin over the defect to protect the spinal cord from exposure to the amniotic fluid. The uterus and the abdominal incision are then closed. A maternal-fetal medicine specialist performs sterile intraoperative ultrasound to map the position of the placenta and the fetus, and a fetal cardiologist uses echocardiography (ultrasound to assess the fetal heart) to examine fetal heart function during the surgery. These measures are used to ensure the utmost maternal and fetal safety. (“The Children’s Hospital of
Risks and Rewards of Prenatal Surgery for Spina Bifida
New advances in surgery are allowing prenatal repair (in utero). Are the results worth the risks involved for both the mother and unborn child? For me, I believe the answer would be yes. I would be willing to risk anything to give my child a chance at a normal, healthy life. I believe all children deserve that chance.
A friend of mine has a daughter that is 22 weeks pregnant. She recently found out that her unborn son has spina bifida. She was told about a study at Vanderbilt for prenatal repair of spina bifida. Without this surgery her son would be born paralyzed. She has decided that the benefits are worth the risk and has been accepted into the study. She will have …show more content…
As with other birth defects, most myelomeningoceles are discovered by routine ultrasound evaluation between 16 and 18 weeks into the pregnancy. Sometimes, a blood test known as maternal serum alpha fetoprotein (AFP) is also positive, triggering the ultrasound. Sonographic features suggestive of myelomeningocele include a cystic mass anywhere on the spine. If no skin covers the defect, alpha fetoprotein levels in the blood and amniotic fluid will be elevated and support the diagnosis. (“The Children’s Hospital of …show more content…
Fetal surgeons perform a laparotomy (an incision across the mother’s abdomen), the uterus is opened and the baby’s back is rotated into view. A pediatric neurosurgeon removes the MMC sac, if one is present, and closes skin over the defect to protect the spinal cord from exposure to the amniotic fluid. The uterus and the abdominal incision are then closed. A maternal-fetal medicine specialist performs sterile intraoperative ultrasound to map the position of the placenta and the fetus, and a fetal cardiologist uses echocardiography (ultrasound to assess the fetal heart) to examine fetal heart function during the surgery. These measures are used to ensure the utmost maternal and fetal safety. (“The Children’s Hospital of