Page 100 - South Mississippi Living - Ocotber, 2022

HEALTHY LIVING
OCTOBER
SPINA BIFIDA
AWARENESS MONTH
What is spina bifida? It’s a birth defect in which an area of the spinal column doesn’t form properly, leaving a section of the spinal cord and spinal nerves exposed through an opening in the back. According to the Centers for Disease Control’s website, spina bifida occurs in 1 per 2,758 live births in the United States. The severity of the symptoms of spina bifida varies considerably, largely depending on the location of the gap in the spine. With good medical care, people with this condition can reach their full potential.
Marcus Lee, M.D. and pediatric neurologist with Children’s of Mississippi Hospital – Gulf Coast, says that while spina bifida is not the most common birth defect, it is a significant one.
“Spina bifida occurs when an embryologic structure called the neural tube fails to close properly,” he said. “There is not a single cause as to why this happens. It’s thought that there are genetic and environmental factors that play a role. We know that a deficiency in folic acid is a risk factor.”
Asked about surgery and other treatment options, Lee said, “The term spina bifida encompasses a spectrum of severity. When the spinal contents extrude outside of the baby’s body, surgery is needed at birth (or even before birth!) to correct the defect. However this is not a cure and many patients have permanent disability.”
Because there is quite a spectrum of severity, the average life span of those with spina bifida varies. “But in general, a corrected spina bifida patient can have a normal life span,” the doctor said. “More severe cases can be associated with disabilities that may shorten the life span but this is quite variable.”
Lee explained that Children’s of Mississippi has a big presence in Biloxi with Pediatrics neurology, cardiology, and rheumatology here daily. There are also orthopedics, hematology, surgery, genetics, child safe center, child development, endocrinology, and pulmonology on a rotating basis.
Marcus Lee, M.D.
100 | October 2022
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story by Lynn Lofton photo courtesy of Children’s of Mississippi Hospital – Gulf Coast