The Department of Paediatric Surgery, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, is conducting a free multidisciplinary counseling program in collaboration with the Spina Bifida Foundation on January 30, 2024. This event aims to provide free evaluations and counseling to patients for their further management and rehabilitation.

Spina Bifida is emerging as a major public health concern across India and Maharashtra, with 4-5 cases reported per 1000 live births. Lilavati Hospital plans to set up a state-of-the-art fetal surgery center to address this emerging challenge. This center will conduct complex in-utero surgeries.

Spina bifida is a congenital birth anomaly that occurs when the baby is growing in the womb. The condition happens when the spinal cord, brain, or meninges that cover them do not form properly. It is usually seen as a hole in the back of the baby when it’s born, though it can occur anywhere. It can also be seen as a sac filled with fluid sticking out of the spine, which may or may not contain the spinal cord.

There are three types of spina bifida: myelomeningocele, meningocele, and occult spina bifida.

• Myelomeningocele is the most common type, where parts of the spinal cord and nerves are filled in a sac outside the baby’s back. This leads to issues like being unable to control the bladder and having difficulty in moving and feeling the legs and feet.

• Meningocele is the second type, which is milder than myelomeningocele, which has a sac filled with fluid outside the baby’s back but does not have any spinal cord or its part.

• The third type is spina occulta, which is the mildest version and is usually not noticed until later in life and it does not cause any problems since the spinal cord and its parts are not damaged.

Dr. Santosh Karmarkar, a pediatric surgeon at Lilavati Hospital and Research Center, emphasized the critical role of folic acid in reducing the risk of neural tube defects like spina bifida in unborn babies. He advised that it is vital for women to include this nutrient in their diet before planning pregnancy, as this nutrient is vital for early fetal development and can thus reduce the chances of congenital defects. To mitigate the further risk of neural defects in the unborn child, he stressed the importance of the intake of prenatal vitamins containing folic acid. While planning a pregnancy, it is crucial for women to be proactive about their nutrition and health.

Dr. Karmarkar also informed that approximately 70% of patients do not get proper treatment due to a lack of awareness and financial constraints. Medical specialists are calling for concrete measures to address this issue. They are highlighting the importance of employing corrective measures to tackle the root cause of spina bifida.

Lt Gen (Dr) V Ravishankar, who is a consultant cardiovascular surgeon and chief operating officer at Lilavati Hospital, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about spina bifida. He also highlighted the role of the hospital as a referral center for critical surgeries.

(Inputs from various sources)

(Rehash/Dr. Sushmita Ganguli)