General Information on Spina Bifida
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
Commonly referred to as 'split spine' or 'open spine', it is a birth defect where the neural tube fails to close completely during the first month of pregnancy, leaving a structural gap (opening) in the developing posterior spinal vertebrae.
While the exact pathogenesis is multifactorial, the most significant and scientifically proven risk factor is a maternal deficiency of Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) before conception and during the first trimester. Adequate folic acid supplementation prevents this anomaly by approximately 70%.
Spina Bifida Occulta (Hidden): The mildest form; it is a microscopic gap in the bone that is not externally visible and rarely causes neurological deficits.
Meningocele: The protective membranes (meninges) around the spinal cord push out through the opening, forming a fluid-filled sac, but the spinal cord itself remains in place.
Myelomeningocele: The most severe and debilitating form; both the meninges and the spinal cord nerves completely protrude through the defect into a sac on the infant's back.
In its severe forms, the exposed spinal nerves sustain permanent damage in utero, leading to partial or complete paralysis of the lower extremities (inability to walk), profound urinary and fecal incontinence (neurogenic bladder/bowel), and macrocephaly due to the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain (Hydrocephalus).
Yes. Elevated levels of maternal serum AFP (Alpha-fetoprotein) during the 16th-18th weeks of gestation raise a strong clinical suspicion. A high-resolution Detailed Fetal Ultrasound conclusively visualizes and confirms the spinal defect on the fetus's back.
For 'open' (myelomeningocele) forms, the infant undergoes emergency neonatal surgery by a Neurosurgeon within the first 24-48 hours of life to prevent fatal CNS infections (meningitis) and further nerve trauma. The neural tissue is carefully repositioned into the spinal canal, and the defect is surgically closed. The ensuing motor and urological deficits demand lifelong multidisciplinary management utilizing physical therapy and intermittent catheterization.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
