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Myelomeningocele (Spina bifida)
Description
Myelomeningocele is caused by failure of the neural tube
to close completely during fetal development, resulting in a lesion along
the spinal cord. The level of muscle weakness and paralysis depends on
the level of the lesion (high or low along the spinal cord). Children
with myelomeningocele may or may not be ambulatory.
Possible effects on growth
- Children with myelomeningocele have short stature, depending
on the severity and location of the spinal lesion.
- Depending on the level of the lesion, muscle tone
may be significantly affected. Problems with overweight and obesity
are common among older children because of lack of ambulation.
Problems
with poor weight gain can be present in other children because of oral-motor
problems and feeding difficulties.
- If the lesion has caused paralysis of the legs,
stature may be affected because of the lack of load-bearing physical
activity.
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