Meningocele, Rare Nerve Tube Disorders

On Little's back is there a large lump filled with fluid? It could be that it is a meningocele. Meningocele is the protruding membrane covering the spine and the nerves of the spine. Abnormalities in the formation of the spine are caused by failure to close the end of the neural tube when the Little One is still in the form of an embryo in the womb. Meningocele is part of the disruption of nerve tube formation in the fetus or spina bifida. Meningocele sacs or cysts appear through a gap in the spine. This bulge is filled with a portion of the spinal membrane and spinal fluid. In addition to affecting the appearance of the Little Spine, meningocele can also affect the nerves around it. Early detection of meningocele can be done before Little is born. When your gestational age enters weeks 15-20, your doctor can do an ultrasound examination to monitor fetal development and detect whether there are abnormal neural tube formation. For more accurate results, doctors can carry out genetic testing by taking a sample of amniotic fluid to see if there are congenital abnormalities in the fetus.

Eliminates Meningocele

Once your child is diagnosed with meningocele, the doctor will most likely schedule an operation as soon as possible. Initial surgery can prevent infection, swelling, and further damage to the spinal nerves, and the nerves of the Little One. If the nerves and spinal cord are deformed or damaged, surgery cannot repair it. Meningocele handling surgery is done by making an incision in the bag or cyst that appears, in order to drain the fluid in it. During the surgery process, Little is under the influence of anesthesia or general anesthesia to fall asleep and not experience pain. After surgery, Little is given antibiotics by a doctor to prevent infection. In addition, he also had to be hospitalized for about 2 weeks. Doctors may also run additional tests, such as MRI or ultrasound. The test is done to ensure the operating wound heals normally and to monitor whether there is a build up of fluid in the head or hydrocephalus. This condition can occur after meningocele surgery. Other risks that can arise after surgery include infection or inflammation of the spinal cord, and nerve disorders such as weakness to muscle paralysis. However, meningoceles usually do not damage any nerve tissue. Therefore, surgery can run smoothly and succeed well if this condition is treated right from the start.

Meningocele and Folic Acid

The risk of your child suffering from meningocele and all types of neural tube abnormalities (spina bifida), can be reduced and even prevented if the mother consumes enough folic acid during pregnancy. Mothers are advised to start taking folic acid supplements around 400 micrograms every day as soon as you decide to want to have children, or at least one month before becoming pregnant. Folic acid must still be consumed during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid can be obtained from supplements or foods. Foods that contain folic acid include asparagus, broccoli, baked potatoes, eggs, salmon, citrus fruits, bread, lentils, beans, legumes, seeds, grains, avocados, and spinach. Folic acid is a water-soluble nutrient. So, if you want to get the optimal folic acid content, it is advisable to steam (not boil) foods that contain folic acid. Cooking the food is not too long because it can destroy the folic acid in it. To avoid the occurrence of meningoceles, pregnant women are also advised to routinely carry out pregnancy checks to the doctor. Also ask what other risk factors can increase the occurrence of meningoceles in infants, so they can be avoided.