Anomaly scan
– an ultrasound scan offered to pregnant women between 18-21 weeks of their pregnancy, which checks for physical abnormalities of the growing baby whilst in the uterus
Bowel incontinence
– a condition where a person is unable to control their bowels, which may cause them to soil themselves, not make it to the toilet in time and leak faeces (poo)
Colostomy
– an operation that temporarily or permanently redirects part of the bowel (intestine) so that poo is collected in a bag attached to the stomach – undertaken due to severe conditions affecting the digestive system or anal region
Congenital
– a condition or disease that a baby is born with
Foetus
– a growing baby in the uterus
Hydrocephalus
– a serious condition where spinal fluid accumulates on the brain, which may be present from birth or develop due to head injury, stroke, or other conditions
Membranes
– in the body, membranes are thin sections of tissue that protect organs and other areas of the body, such as the spinal cord
Neural tube
– the growing tissue in a foetus (unborn baby) that will eventually become a spinal cord attached to the brain
Open spina bifida
– where a gap or several gaps in a baby’s spine have resulted in the spinal cord and membranes pushing through the gaps to create a sac or cyst on the back
Shunt
– a valve controlled medical device inserted into the brain designed to treat hydrocephalus and pull excess fluid away from the brain into another area of the body such as the stomach
Spinal cord
– a mass of nerves and tissue enclosed within the bone structure of spine, which forms the central nervous system and transmits messages around the body and to and from the brain
Urine infections
– an infection in the urethra, bladder or kidneys caused by bacteria from poo entering the urethra
Uterus
– also known as the womb, this female body organ is where an embryo implants during pregnancy and grows into a baby
Vertebrae
– the many bones that make up the spine/back