Spina Bifida Cost in Saudi Arabia

Spina bifida is a birth defect condition characterized by improper formation of the spine and spinal cord, known as a neural tube defect. During embryonic development, the neural tube, which eventually forms the baby's brain, spinal cord, and surrounding tissues, typically closes by the 28th day after conception. However, in cases of spina bifida, a section of the neural tube fails to fully close, affecting the spinal cord and spinal bones.

These include Spina bifida occulta and Spina bifida Aperta. Spina bifida Aperta is also known as Myelomeningocele. It is a severe form of spina bifida. As the severe form is progressive, it requires immediate repair to prevent further damage. In such a case, your doctor may advise fetal surgery.

The severity of spina bifida can vary, ranging from mild to significantly disabling. Symptoms are contingent upon the location and size of the spinal opening, as well as whether the spinal cord and nerves are impacted. Early treatment often involves surgery to address spina bifida, but regaining lost function isn't always achievable through surgery alone.

Preventing spina bifida and other neural tube defects is possible through various measures, primarily focusing on ensuring adequate intake of folic acid:

• Start Folic Acid Supplementation Early: Begin by taking folic acid supplements at least one month before planning to conceive and continue through the first trimester of pregnancy. A daily dose of 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid is recommended for all individuals of childbearing age.
• Folic Acid-Rich Foods: By Incorporating foods rich in folate or fortified with folic acid into your diet. Examples include enriched bread, pasta, rice, and certain breakfast cereals. Natural sources of folate include beans, peas, citrus fruits and juices, egg yolks, cow's milk, avocados, and dark green vegetables like broccoli and spinach.
• Plan Pregnancy Carefully: Adults who are planning pregnancy or could become pregnant should aim for a daily intake of 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid.
• Vitamin Supplements: Taking a daily multivitamin or prenatal vitamin containing folic acid is advisable to help meet the recommended intake levels and reduce the risk of spina bifida and other congenital conditions like cleft lip, cleft palate, and certain heart defects.
• Vitamin Supplements: By taking a daily multivitamin or prenatal vitamin containing folic acid is advisable to help meet the recommended intake levels and reduce the risk of spina bifida and other congenital conditions like cleft lip, cleft palate, and certain heart defects.

The doctors perform the surgery on the fetus in prenatal surgery for spina bifida. The surgeons generally execute the procedure by exposing the uterus. However, in some cases, the patients may also undergo minimally invasive surgery. You may undergo the following steps during the surgery:

• The doctor advises you to visit the hospital on the morning of surgery with overnight fasting.
• The staff guides you to the changing room and provides you with a gown for changing.
• our surgeon and the anesthesia expert may meet you to evaluate your health.
• Once everything is fine, the staff will take you to the operating theatre.
• The surgeon inserts an epidural catheter to provide relief from pain after the surgery.
• The anesthesiologist will give you general anesthesia that will make you sleep throughout the surgery.
• The surgeon then exposes the uterus by making an incision on the abdomen. The incision is probably wider as compared to that done during the caesarian surgery.
• The surgeon opens the uterus to get excess to the fetus.
• The surgeon examines the abnormality in the spine and closes the spine.
• The surgeon then closes the uterus and the abdomen and places a bandage on the wound.
• The staff then sifts you to the ICU to monitor your vital parameters.

The patient may feel some pain once wake up. However, it is manageable through medications and epidural catheters. Once your vital parameters are stable, the staff shifts you to the general ward. You need to stay at the hospital for around one week. After discharge, you need to take good care of your health and visit the hospital for follow-up evaluation