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Gynecology (Expert Forum)
ultrasound not showing spine - worry about spina bifida
Answered by
Keith Downing, MD - Obstetrics, Gynecology
MA
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ultrasound not showing spine - worry about spina bifida
by foz07, Mar 01, 2008 12:17PM
I am 25 yrs & 25 wks pregnant. All has seemed to be going well. At 20 weeks I went in for a scan. Everything they could see seemed normal but she could not get some shots of the lower spine because the baby was in an awkward position (breech with it's spine against my spine). Have had 2 more scans since but she was still unable to see the lower spine
2 days ago she consulted with the obstetric specialist & said that they were not too concerned & would take no further action for the moment. BUT yesterday I got a message that they wanted me to come in. At this appt the specialist felt my stomach & did a quick scan. She said that the baby seemed to have moved a bit (head down now apparently but still with it's spine against my spine) & might be in a bit better position to see. She went to get the sonographer but she was not available. When the obstetric specialist came back she had already been on the phone to a Maternal Fetal Specialist in a place 4 hours away. She said that there might be something wrong with the spine & that she wanted me to go to this Maternal Fetal Specialist in a week or 2 to see if he could do a scan to rule out spina bifida. She explained that if they still couldn't see properly in this scan they would try to do an MRI
My questions are:
*Is it abnormal for the baby to have been sitting with it's spine against mine for all 4 scans between 20-25weeks?
*Would they refer me to a Maternal Fetal Specialist just because they can't see properly or would they have to have noticed something yesterday that could suggest a problem?
*Are MRI scans safe to do while pregnant?
*Before I knew I was pregnant I had taken ecstacy for the first time at a party. I was around 3-4 weeks pregnant at that stage (around the 5 Oct 07 and I am due the 15 June 08). Could this put me at an increased risk for a problem with the spine?
*If it is Spina bifida is it less likely to be the severe form as at 20 weeks the scan showed that the brain seemed normal?
2 days ago she consulted with the obstetric specialist & said that they were not too concerned & would take no further action for the moment. BUT yesterday I got a message that they wanted me to come in. At this appt the specialist felt my stomach & did a quick scan. She said that the baby seemed to have moved a bit (head down now apparently but still with it's spine against my spine) & might be in a bit better position to see. She went to get the sonographer but she was not available. When the obstetric specialist came back she had already been on the phone to a Maternal Fetal Specialist in a place 4 hours away. She said that there might be something wrong with the spine & that she wanted me to go to this Maternal Fetal Specialist in a week or 2 to see if he could do a scan to rule out spina bifida. She explained that if they still couldn't see properly in this scan they would try to do an MRI
My questions are:
*Is it abnormal for the baby to have been sitting with it's spine against mine for all 4 scans between 20-25weeks?
*Would they refer me to a Maternal Fetal Specialist just because they can't see properly or would they have to have noticed something yesterday that could suggest a problem?
*Are MRI scans safe to do while pregnant?
*Before I knew I was pregnant I had taken ecstacy for the first time at a party. I was around 3-4 weeks pregnant at that stage (around the 5 Oct 07 and I am due the 15 June 08). Could this put me at an increased risk for a problem with the spine?
*If it is Spina bifida is it less likely to be the severe form as at 20 weeks the scan showed that the brain seemed normal?
Doctor's Answer
by Keith Downing, MD, Mar 04, 2008 03:02PM
, Mar 04, 2008 03:02PM
Hello,
I'll answer what I can. From what I can gather, there is no known or well described association between Ectasy (or MDMA [3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine]) and spina bifida. There is a clear association between folic acid levels and neural tube defects.
MRI is a safe modality in pregnancy with no radiation exposure to the mother or fetus.
If indeed there is an abnormality detected, the size and location will, in part, determine the severity.
The remainder of your questions you'll have to take up with the people who have been caring for you. A timely, expert sonogram will likely help sort this out.
Best regards,
Dr. Downing
I'll answer what I can. From what I can gather, there is no known or well described association between Ectasy (or MDMA [3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine]) and spina bifida. There is a clear association between folic acid levels and neural tube defects.
MRI is a safe modality in pregnancy with no radiation exposure to the mother or fetus.
If indeed there is an abnormality detected, the size and location will, in part, determine the severity.
The remainder of your questions you'll have to take up with the people who have been caring for you. A timely, expert sonogram will likely help sort this out.
Best regards,
Dr. Downing
