Things to Know with Meningocele Repair

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Causes of Meningocele

 

While doctors are still in the process of looking for the cause of spina bifida apart from the intuition of genetic make up, the only thing they can do right now is to make a repair for infants having the birth defect. These children had undergone some developmental defects during the first trimester of their mother’s pregnancy. Most often these mothers don’t have enough folic acid in their system before or during that period. The defect affected the spinal cord, the sac surrounding it and some nerves. Babies affected with this defect are born with the sac protruding from their spinal cord.Reference taken from here http://www.spinabifida.net/types/spina-bifida-occulta.html

 

Possible Treatment for the Disease

 

This fluid-filled sac would have to be drained and placed back to the spinal cord as soon as possible. The repair would have to be done within 12 hours to 2 days after the baby’s birth to prevent infection, or further damage and swelling of the spinal cord. Doctors drain the excess fluid from the sac by making an incision, after which they cover the area with membranes, and then close the cut. Like any other kind of surgery, the repair involves general anesthesia which carries risks of allergic reactions to the medication. Chances of infection, bleeding, and fluid buildup are still possible though these are rare. 

 

Professionals will cover the incision with sterile dressing and the child will be moved to neonatal intensive care unit for about 15 days where doctors will prevent infection by administering antibiotics. Nurses would position the babies to lie on their stomach to avoid pressure on the operation. Ultrasounds and MRIs would be performed to check the healing process of the surgery. These tests would also yield results for possible fluid buildup once meningocele is repaired. The defect does not typically affect the neural tissues thus repair usually yield excellent results. Affected babies rarely develop any disabilities or problems with muscles, nerves or the brain.