Musculoskeletal system: loss of motor function in the arms. weakness to complete paralysis

• limited range of motor

• muscle atrophy

Sensory System:

• loss of sensation

• pain occurring

Autonomic System:

• Temperature regulation

Functional Impact:

• fine motor skills

• gross motor skills

• developmental milestones

OT Precaution

• ROM exercises

• pain in movement or stretch

• Protecting their nerve tissue or sensation problems

• avoid splitting due to muscle weakness

• 
  

Köse, B., Temizkan, E., Şahin, S., Kara, K., & Uyanık, M. (2024). Effects of a visual perception-based occupational therapy program on reading and motor skills in children with developmental dyslexia: Single blind randomized cross-over study design. Dyslexia, 30(3), e1773. https://doi.org/10.1002/dys.1773

Verma, M., Begum, R., & Kapoor, R. (2019). To develop an occupational therapy kit for handwriting skills in children with dysgraphia and study its efficacy: A single-arm interventional study. The Indian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 51(3), 85–89. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijoth.ijoth_20_18

Javed, S., Muniandy, M., Lee, C. K., & Husni, H. (2023). Enhancing teaching and learning for pupils with dyslexia: A comprehensive review of technological and non-technological interventions. Education and Information Technologies, 29, 9607–9643. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12195-5

1 in 2875 babies are born with SB in the US each year 

• In the US each year, 1,278 babies are born with SB 

Hispanic women have the highest rate of having a child with spina bifida 

Prevention efforts such as getting a sufficient amount of folic acid daily before and during early pregnancy, reduces the risk of spina bifida 

No two people with Spina Bifida are exactly alike!

Health issues vary for each individual  

Symptoms of Spina Bifida depends on where on the spine the opening is located and how big the opening is 

Symptoms also depend on where the spinal cord and nerves are involved 

Early treatment usually involves surgery but doesn't always restore function loss 

Mobility, toileting, skin integrity, are the most common functions affected by spina bidida 

• Mobility: walking and moving around. Individuals need to use assistive devices such as a wheelchair, crutches, braces, or walkers to get from one place to another. 

• Bathroom Use: Independence with toileting. Those with spina bifida can potentially be incontinent and cannot control when they go to the bathroom. These individuals are also more at risk for urinary tract infections 

• Skin: Skin breakdown. Individuals may have loss of feeling in different parts of their body, especially their bottom. They may be unable to feel certain cuts, sores, bruises, etc on their skin. This can lead to the breakdown of skin ultimately leading to open sores/ulcers

A child with Spina Bifida is expected to meet all milestones as they develop. The child may experience additional challenges throughout everyday life

Spina Bifida is not a progressive condition and does not worsen as an individual ages 

The impact of Spina Bifida is not the same throughout the lifespan as the challenges faced by a young child with SB differs from the challenges faced as an adult with SB.