What to do if the fetus has spinal deformity

Fetal spinal deformity requires the type and severity of the deformity to be determined as early as possible, and a personalized management plan should be developed under the guidance of a specialist, including prenatal monitoring, postnatal treatment and rehabilitation measures. Common solutions include enhanced pregnancy monitoring, surgical treatment, physical rehabilitation, etc. The specific choice depends on the cause and symptoms.

1) Causes of fetal spinal deformity

Fetal spinal malformation may be caused by multiple factors such as genetics, environment, and nutrition.

-Genetic factors: If someone in the family has a spinal disease, the risk of inheritance will increase. Congenital spina bifida and other structural abnormalities are often related to gene mutations.

- Environmental factors: Exposure to radiation, viral infection, or exposure to harmful chemicals during pregnancy can increase the risk of fetal spinal abnormalities. For example, exposure to high doses of pesticides or taking certain medications may affect the closure of the fetal central neural tube.

-Nutrition problem: Folic acid deficiency in pregnant women is one of the fatal factors. Folic acid can help the formation of the fetal neural tube. Deficiency may cause neural tube defects such as spina bifida or other malformations.

Solution: Pregnant women should consult a geneticist to learn about their family history when planning their pregnancy, strengthen prenatal checkups (such as ultrasound or MRI), and take adequate folic acid (400-800 micrograms/day) to increase dietary diversity.

2) Possible treatments for spinal deformity

Treatment needs for fetal spinal deformities. Some mild deformities may not require treatment and only require observation after birth, but severe cases may require surgery or rehabilitation intervention.

-Surgical correction: For fatal spina bifida and other deformities that pose a significant risk of neurological damage, such as "open vertebrae", spinal reconstruction surgery can be performed after birth based on the child's condition. Common surgical methods include spinal repair and vertebral fusion.

-Physical rehabilitation training: For minor structural problems, physical rehabilitation such as swimming therapy and muscle traction is used after birth to enhance the stability around the spine and relieve symptoms.

-Preventive management: address secondary infection or bone degeneration issues, and perform timely imaging follow-up after birth to avoid secondary injury.

3) How to strengthen prevention during pregnancy

There is some room for prevention of fetal spinal deformities, especially taking timely health measures during pregnancy can reduce the risk of disease.

- Nutritional supplements: Take adequate folic acid every day and maintain a diverse diet. Appropriate supplementation of vitamin D and calcium helps bone development.

-Avoid environmental hazards: Avoid contact with high-risk environments such as pesticides and x-rays, stay away from tobacco and alcohol, and follow the doctor's advice when using high-risk drugs.

-Regular prenatal check-ups: Systematic prenatal ultrasound can detect spinal abnormalities early, and genetic testing can be performed to assess the health of the fetus if necessary.

Fetal spinal deformity requires a full-process management of prenatal diagnosis, postnatal surgical treatment and assisted rehabilitation. Parents should develop a personalized care and intervention plan under the guidance of a doctor. For mild symptoms, observation and nutritional support can be strengthened, but severe cases require surgery and physical intervention. Multi-party cooperation can effectively improve prognosis and improve quality of life.