Best Doctors for Spina Bifida in Hyderabad

Types/Stages of Spina Bifida

Spina bifida manifests in three primary types:

• Myelomeningocele: This severe form involves an exposed sac-like protrusion on the baby’s back containing damaged spinal cord and nerves leading to significant physical disabilities like paralysis.

• Meningocele: In this form, a fluid-filled sac juts out from the spine but leaves the spinal cord intact within the spine resulting in fewer neurological problems.

• Spina Bifida Occulta: This is the mildest form where a small gap exists in the spine but the spinal cord and nerves are contained within the spine and not exposed. Often symptomless, this form goes undetected in many.

Symptoms of Spina Bifida

Typical symptoms of spinal bifida include:

• General paralysis or weakness in the legs impeding mobility

• Urinary and bowel incontinence

• Diminished or absent sensation in the legs

• Hydrocephalus

• Cognitive problems

• Coordination issues

• Seizures

• Physical deformities

• Breathing and swallowing difficulties

Tests to Diagnose Spina Bifida

The Best Doctors who treat Spina Bifida disease use a combination of prenatal screening tests and postnatal physical examinations to diagnose the condition:

• Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein screen: A blood test measuring alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. Elevated AFP levels can indicate spina bifida.

• Ultrasound: Imaging of the developing foetus during the second trimester of pregnancy using high-frequency sound waves.

• Amniocentesis: A sample of amniotic fluid is tested for high AFP levels, which can indicate spina bifida.

• Physical examination: Investigating for physical abnormalities such as a hairy patch, dimple or swelling on the infant’s back.

Treatment or Surgery Options for Spina Bifida at Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad

The Doctors who perform Spina Bifida Surgery like neuro- and orthopaedic surgeons at Apollo Hospitals Hyderabad offer a range of treatment options for spina bifida:

• Prenatal (Foetal) Surgery: This involves surgically repairing the spina bifida defect before the baby is born, typically performed between 19 and 26 weeks of pregnancy.

• Postnatal Surgery: After birth, neurosurgeons close the spinal defect within the first few days of life to prevent infection and further nerve damage.

• Shunt Placement: To manage hydrocephalus (excess fluid in the brain), a shunt is often placed to drain fluid from the brain to another part of the body.

• Orthopaedic Interventions: Surgeries or therapies to address musculoskeletal problems such as scoliosis, hip dislocations, or clubfoot that are often associated with spina bifida.

• Urological Procedures: These include surgeries and other interventions to improve bladder function and prevent kidney damage, such as bladder augmentation or catheterisation.