Why in the News?
India continues to report one of the highest global burdens of Spina Bifida, despite strong scientific evidence that pre conception folic acid intake can prevent more than 70 percent of cases.
What is Spina Bifida
- A congenital neural tube defect
- Occurs when the spinal cord and its protective coverings fail to develop properly
- Develops during early pregnancy, usually within the first 28 days after conception
- Leads to lifelong disability of varying severity
- Non communicable and Non infectious
Causes
- Caused by abnormal closure of the neural tube
- Inadequate folic acid intake before and during early pregnancy
- Poor maternal nutrition and anaemia
- Unplanned pregnancies without micronutrient supplementation
- Possible genetic susceptibility combined with environmental factors
Treatment and Management
- Early surgical repair: Closure of the spinal defect soon after birth to prevent infection
- Hydrocephalus management: Use of ventriculo peritoneal shunt to drain excess fluid
- Rehabilitation care: Long term physiotherapy and occupational therapy
- Orthopaedic interventions: Corrective surgeries, braces or casts for skeletal deformities
Prevention
- Daily folic acid supplementation before conception and during early pregnancy
- Food fortification and maternal nutrition programmes
- Awareness about planned pregnancies
- Integration with maternal health schemes
Prelims Pointers
- Spina bifida is a neural tube defect
- Neural tube closes within 28 days of conception
- Folic acid deficiency is the most important risk factor
- Prevention is more effective than post birth treatment
| [2023] Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy:
1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for pre-school children, adolescents and pregnant women. 2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of child-birth 3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents 4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pockets with special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four |
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