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about spinal bifada an t 18

By Anonymous February 8, 2012 - 2:25pm
 
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hi my dauther is having a baby an they tell her to make a desecion ..that her baby have this problems can u please tell me if thee are eny others kids alive that have both of this diagnosis ,,,thank u

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Guide

I do not know how common it is for a baby to have both Trisomy 18 and spina bifida. But having both conditions is worse than having only one.
Maryann

February 9, 2012 - 5:56pm
Guide

Trisomy 18, also known as Edwards syndrome, is a condition which is caused by a chromosomal defect. It occurs in about 1 out of every 3000 live births.

Isabella Santorum, who is the 3 year old daughter of the Republican presidential candidate, Rick Santorum, was born with Trisomy 18 (T18)

According to the website, Trisomy 18 Foundation, http://www.trisomy18.org/site/PageServer?pagename=whatisT18_whatis,

Unlike Down syndrome, which also is caused by a chromosomal defect, the developmental issues caused by Trisomy 18 are associated with medical complications that are more potentially life-threatening in the early months and years of life. 50% of babies who are carried to term will be stillborn, with baby boys having higher stillbirth rate than baby girls.

At birth, intensive care admissions in Neonatal units are most common for infants with Trisomy 18. Again, baby boys will experience higher mortality rates in this neonatal period than baby girls, although those with higher birth weights do better across all categories.

Some children will be able to be discharged from the hospital with home nursing support for their families. And although less than 10 percent survive to their first birthdays, some children with

Trisomy 18 can enjoy many years of life with their families, reaching milestones and being involved with their community. A small number of adults (usually girls) with Trisomy 18 have and are living into their twenties and thirties, although with significant developmental delays that do not allow them to live independently without assisted care-giving.

Spina bifida is a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings. The two forms of spina bifida are spina bifida occulta and spina bifida manifesta.

Spina bifida occulta is the mildest form of spina bifida (occulta means hidden). Most children with this type of defect never have any health problems, and the spinal cord is often unaffected.

Spina bifida manifesta includes two types: meningocele and myelomeningocele. Myelomeningocele is the most severe form of spina bifida. Children typically have some paralysis. The degree of paralysis largely depends on where the opening occurs in the spine.

Children with spina bifida often have problems with bowel and bladder control, and some may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other learning difficulties, such as hand-eye coordination problems.

Babies with meningocele usually have an operation during infancy in which doctors push the meninges back and close the hole in the vertebrae. Many will have no other health problems later unless there is nerve tissue involved with the sac.

Babies with myelomeningocele need more immediate attention and often have surgery within the first 1 to 2 days after birth. During this first surgery, doctors push the spine back into the vertebrae and close the hole to prevent infection and protect the spine.

The goal of caring for a child with spina bifida is to create a lifestyle for the child and family in which the disability interferes as little as possible with normal everyday activities.

I know this is a lot of information, but, I hope it helps you and your family understand both of these conditions.

Maryann

February 8, 2012 - 5:34pm
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Anonymous (reply to Maryann Gromisch RN)

thank ..i will like to know if therevis eny kid born with both ,,they say that the baby have both...is this worst

February 8, 2012 - 6:26pm
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