Best Doctors for Spina Bifida in Kolkata

Types/Stages of Spina Bifida

There are three main types of spina bifida. These include:

• Myelomeningocele: This is the most severe type of spina bifida. This condition results in a sac-like protrusion on the baby’s back containing the spinal cord and nerves. Physical disabilities like paralysis and deformities can occur due to nerve damage.

• Meningocele: In this variant, a fluid-filled sac protrudes from the spine while the spinal cord remains intact within the spine. This type is usually associated with fewer neurological problems than myelomeningocele.

• Spina Bifida Occulta: Considered the mildest form of spina bifida, it involves a small gap in the spine but with spinal cord and nerves contained within the spine.

Symptoms of Spina Bifida

Patients with spina bifida experience the following symptoms:

• Weakness or paralysis in the legs

• Involuntary loss of urine or bowel control

• Loss of skin sensation, particularly in the lower body

• Hydrocephalus

• Cognitive problems

• Coordination issues

• Physical deformities

• Seizures

• Breathing and swallowing difficulties

Tests to Diagnose Spina Bifida

The doctors for spinal bifida treatment typically diagnose the condition through an array of prenatal screening tests and postnatal physical examinations:

• Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein Screen: This blood test performed at 16-18 weeks of pregnancy measures alpha-fetoprotein levels. Elevated levels could indicate spina bifida.

• Ultrasound: High-frequency sound waves create images of the developing foetus. This method is especially reliable in diagnosing spina bifida if conducted during the second trimester.

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

Treatment or Surgery Options for Spina Bifida at Apollo Hospitals, Kolkata

At Apollo Hospitals Kolkata, the spina bifida surgeon doctors consider each case individually and offer personalised care plans. These include:

• Myelomeningocele Closure: Closure of the myelomeningocele is performed immediately after birth to close the opening in the baby’s back.

• Ventriculoperitoneal Shunting: This is the most common procedure to manage hydrocephalus associated with spina bifida. It involves diverting cerebrospinal fluid from the brain ventricles to the abdominal cavity.

• Tethered Spinal Cord Surgery: For a child with a tethered spinal cord, surgery can separate the spinal cord from surrounding tissue, allowing the child to regain their usual level of functioning.