What is Spina Bifida….

Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly. It’s a type of neural tube defect. The neural tube is the structure in a developing embryo that eventually becomes the baby’s brain, spinal cord and the tissues that enclose them. Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/spina-bifida/symptoms-causes

The most common neural tube defect in the US, affecting 1,500-2,000 of more than four million people in the United States. There’s an estimated 166,000 people in the US with Spina Bifida.

Who does it affect….

Hispanics- 3.8 of 10,000 live births

Black or African American 2.73 of 10,000 live births

White 3.09 of 10,000 live births

Source: cdc.go/ncbddd/spinabifida

Types of Spina Bifida….

Myelomeningocele

This is the most common and serious type of spina bifida. It involves a sack outside the opening in the baby’s back somewhere on the spine. This sack contains parts of the spinal cord and nerves. The spinal cord and nerves in the sack will be damaged.

People with myelomeningocele have physical disabilities that range from moderate to severe. These disabilities may include:

  • incontinence
  • difficulty going to the bathroom
  • inability to move or feel their legs or feet
Meningocele

This type of spina bifida also involves a sack of fluid outside an opening in the baby’s back. However, the sack does not contain any part of the spinal cord. Because there isn’t a lot of nerve damage, meningocele causes only minor disabilities.

Spina bifida occulta

This is a mild type of spina bifida. It may also go by the term “hidden” spina bifida. It does not cause any disabilities and may go unnoticed until later in life. There is usually no opening in the baby’s back, but only a gap in the spine. In this type, there is no damage to the spinal cord or the nerves.

Symptoms…..

Myelomeningocele

Symptoms of myelomeningocele spina bifida include:

  • open spinal canal over some vertebrae, usually in the middle or lower part of the back
  • membranes and spinal cord pushed outside the back in an exposed or skin-covered sack
  • weak or paralyzed leg muscles
  • seizures
  • deformed feet
  • hips that are not even
  • scoliosis (curved spine)
  • issues with the bowel and bladder
Meningocele

Symptoms of meningocele type of spina bifida include:

  • small opening in the back
  • sack that’s visible at birth
  • membranes pushing out through the opening in the vertebrae into sack
  • normal development of the spinal cord

Membranes can be surgically removed in cases of meningocele.

Spina bifida occulta

Symptoms of spina bifida occulta include:

  • a gap in between vertebrae
  • no visible opening outside
  • no fluid-filled sack outside the body
  • small birthmark or dimple on the back
  • small group or cluster of hair on the back
  • an area of extra fat on the back

A person may not ever know they have this type of spina bifida.

Souce: https://www.healthline.com/health/spina-bifida

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