Spina bifida is a condition that begins in early pregnancy where part of the baby's spine does not form completely. That can leave part of the spinal cord uncovered. In minor cases, the spinal cord stays right where it should, and the child is fine. But when the spinal cord bulges outside of the body, it can be damaged. That makes it hard for the brain to send messages to the lower parts of the body. This can cause problems, commonly with walking and bladder control. Some babies with spina bifida also have too much fluid around their brains. This can be treated with surgery.
Spina bifida affects each child differently. Early surgery can reduce nerve damage for some children. Your doctor may use medicine to stop or prevent infection. You may start working with a physical therapist in your baby's first few weeks to learn exercises to make the muscles stronger. As your child grows, you and your doctor will develop a treatment plan to help your child be active. Braces, wheelchairs, and other devices help many children with spina bifida to be active and independent.
Spina bifida is a birth defect in which the bones of the spine (vertebrae) don't form properly around the spinal cord. If it's severe, part of the spinal cord or spinal nerves may be exposed. This can cause nerve damage and lead to serious problems, so surgery may be needed soon after birth. But in most cases, the condition is mild and hidden, and it doesn't cause problems.
Spina bifida develops early in pregnancy, often before you know you're pregnant. You can reduce your chance of having a baby with spina bifida by eating a healthy diet and taking folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy.
Your child's symptoms will depend on how severe the defect is. Most children with the mild form of spina bifida don't have any problems from it.
In many cases, children with meningocele don't have any symptoms.
Children with the most severe form of spina bifida often have spine and brain issues that cause serious problems. They may have:
Myelomeningocele is a rare and severe form of spina bifida in which part of the spinal nerves or spinal cord is exposed on the outside of the skin. This type of spina bifida can lead to health problems, physical disability, and learning problems. Treatment usually includes surgery, braces or other corrective devices, physical therapy, and sometimes extra help in school.
Most children with mild spina bifida don't need treatment. Surgery may be done for severe cases. If a child has hydrocephalus, a tube (shunt) can help drain excess fluid from the brain. Therapists can teach exercises and activities. Some children may need a brace, a wheelchair, or help with bladder and bowel control.
Having healthy habits before and during pregnancy can help prevent spina bifida.
During pregnancy, you can have a blood test (quad screen) and an ultrasound of the developing baby. These tests check for signs of spina bifida and other problems. If test results suggest a birth defect, you can choose to have an amniocentesis. This test helps confirm if the baby has spina bifida.
After birth, a doctor can usually tell if a baby has spina bifida by how the baby's back looks. If spina bifida is suspected, the doctor may do an X-ray, an MRI, or a CT scan to see if the defect is mild or severe.
There's a lot you can do to help your child. Learn how to do range-of-motion exercises that can help your child gain strength and control movements. Prevent skin infections by looking for cuts, blisters, and sore spots. Help your child avoid contact with latex. Children with spina bifida often are allergic to latex.
The exact cause of this birth defect isn't known. Experts think that genes and the environment are involved. For example, someone who's had one child with spina bifida is more likely to have another child with the disease. Having low levels of folic acid (folate) in your blood, obesity, or diabetes also makes a person more likely to have a child with spina bifida.
Spina bifida is a birth defect that affects the spine. It can be mild or severe. The mild, most common form often doesn't need treatment. A more severe form causes fluid to leak from the spine. In the most rare and severe form, nerves push out of the spinal canal and are often damaged.
Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your doctor if your child has any problems.
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