How to Diagnose Spina Bifida

Spina bifida is a birth defect where the neural tube, which houses the spinal cord, isn't fully developed. This causes part of the spinal cord to protrude through the neural tube opening. The child suffers nervous system damage that results in paralysis then. Doctors can diagnose spina bifida before birth, which increases the child's chances of survival.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Diagnose spina bifida prenatally through blood tests or ultrasound. Blood tests can detect a specific protein, which is present in high amounts when there is spina bifida, and ultrasound can sometimes see a protruding spinal cord. Not all spina bifida cases can be detected prenatally.

2. Notice if there are any protuberances on your newborn's spine. Doctors can detect many cases of spina bifida right after birth.

3. Examine your infant's spine for any dimples or nubs. Mild cases of spina bifida may not be diagnosed until the child is older. Some mild cases may never be caught at all, if the children never cause neurological symptoms. However, it never hurts to check early in development.

4. Track the progress of your infant's development to see if he is keeping up with the expected developmental milestones. Discuss any areas of late development with your doctor. The earlier a medical professional can diagnose spina bifida, the easier it is to initiate successful treatment.

5. Request that X-rays if you suspect your child has spina bifida. X-rays can detect some mild cases of spina bifida that can't be diagnosed prenatally.