What is the AFP test for Spina Bifida?
Firstly, Spina Bifida means ‘split spine’ and is a congenital condition (meaning that the baby’s genes are normal but the condition developed in utero). If one or more of the spinal verterbrae do not develop properly during pregnancy, the nerves of the spinal cord underneath are damaged. This spinal cord is connected to our central nervous system and transmits messages to our brains to tell us things like: when to visit the lavatory and how to move our limbs. People with Spina Bifida often have trouble controlling their bladder and bowel movements and have difficulty moving around. In very severe cases, the lower body may be paralysed. Around 70% of babies with Spina Bifida die within the first few years of their life. The good news is that the risk to you of having a baby born with Spina Bifida is reduced by up to 70%, if you take a daily folic acid supplement. What are the benefits of taking folic acid? All babies are potentially at some risk of developing spina bifida and other neur
