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Spinal Cord Birth Defects – Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, And Long-Term Effects

chandra shekar

Birth trauma is a problem that occurred during the perinatal period or during the birth process. In neonates, the spine is very sensitive to any kind of mechanical influence. In this article we will discuss the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and long-term effects of the spinal cord birth defects.

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Birth Defects

Often the birth trauma of the spine in neonates occurs when obstetric forces are used or a cesarean is done.

In addition, the baby’s weight also plays an important role. A child weighing less than three kilograms or more than 4 kg, are always at a risk of spinal injury.

As for the symptoms of cervical spine birth trauma, it is very diverse and sometimes even invisible and delayed in time. Generally, due to the fact that the arteries have been pinched, you can distinguish such symptoms:

  1. Affected brain function
  2. Increased intracranial pressure
  3. Problems with the nervous system
  4. Speech and retardation of motor development
  5. Hyperexcitability and hyperactivity
  6. Disorders associated with the musculoskeletal system
  7. Allergic reactions
  8. Disorders like a migraine, fainting, meteor sensitivity, general fatigue, and even diarrhea
  9. Breathing weakness

Note that in each case the symptoms may be different. It is necessary to closely monitor the child to provide more detailed information to the doctor.

Causes of Spinal Cord Birth Defects

Delivery time is quite difficult. Stressful birth can cause severe damage to the child’s spinal cord. There are 3 mechanisms that can cause spinal cord damage during labor:

Compression

Compression occurs in those cases where there is a great difference in the pressure of the uterus and forces that do not allow the fetus to move further along the birth canal.

 

Distraction

This mechanism is associated with the artificial extraction of the fetus behind the pelvis or head.

Rotational

Rotational is associated with the uncontrolled birth control.

Apart from these three major reasons, overstretching of the spinal cord during delivery is another major reason behind this damage. Unfortunately, if this happens, the spinal cord gets permanently damaged and there remains no scope of improvement.

Diagnosis of Spinal Cord Birth Defects

Diagnosis of the spine lesion suffered during labor includes the following steps:

  1. Detection of mechanical injuries, for example, squeezing or hemorrhage.
  2. Ultrasound diagnosis (ultrasound) is often used to diagnose more accurately.
  3. Depending on the age of the heart, as well as on its condition, radiographic methods may be used.
Long-Term Effects of Spinal Cord Birth Defects

In some cases, this congenital defect of the spinal cord of the child can never be cured, and this damage also becomes the cause of paralysis. In addition, spinal cord’s injury leads to intellectual disabilities. There are cases of deaths, as well.

According to experts, the long-term effects of spinal cord damage depend upon the level of injury. If the bone is completely damaged, then the situation is hopeless and there is no cure for the problem. But, if the bone is not completely damaged, there is still a way for the brain to communicate and send messages to the spinal cord.

According to experts, many of the birth spinal cord injuries are not severe and barely cause any permanent damage. Therefore, instead of panicking, it is always better to consult an expert.


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