Spina bifida

A developmental defect of the spinal column.

A serious condition in which part of the spinal cord protrudes through the spinal column.

Congenital defect in the structure of the spinal column characterized by an open area around the nerve trunk leaving it unprotected and subject to infection or injury.

Spina bifida is a neural tube defect that results from the spine’s failure to close during the first month of pregnancy. This disorder can range from generally asymptomatic (occulta) with a very small spinal opening to a completely open spinal column (rachischisis) with severe neurological damage. The partially exposed spinal cord is susceptible to both infection and direct injury, resulting in loss of function.

Literally, “spine in two parts,” a general name for a group of congenital abnormalities resulting when the membrane-and-tissue-covered “tube” that houses the central nervous system fails to close completely during an embryo’s development. Medically, these disorders are generally called neural tube defects. Defects can occur anywhere along the spine but are most common in the lower back. The precise causes of spina bifida are unclear, but both genetic and environmental influences seem to be involved.

Relatively common congenital defect in which there is a malformation of a posterior vertebral arch; unless the defect affects a large area or spinal cord material protrudes (myelomeningocele), there are few or no symptoms. The condition can be diagnosed by amniocentesis at about the 16th week of pregnancy.

A congenital defect resulting in incomplete closure of the vertebral column, usually in the lumbosacral region.

A birth defect in which there is incomplete closure in the spinal column. There are three major types of spina bifida: spina bifida occulta, meningocele, and myelomeningocele. In spina bifida occulta, the mildest form, there is an opening in the vertebrae of the spinal column but no apparent damage to the spinal cord. Meningocele, the rarest form, is the presence of a cyst protruding through the open part of the spine; this can be removed by surgery.

A developmental defect in which the newborn baby has par of the spinal cord and its coverings exposed through a gap in the backbone. The symptoms may include paralysis of the legs incontinence, and mental retardation from the commonly associated brain defect hydrocephalus. Spina bifida is associated with abnormally high levels of alpha fetoprotein in the amniotic fluid surrounding the embryo. The condition can be diagnosed at about the 16th week of pregnancy by a test on the amniotic fluid, so making termination of the pregnancy possible.

A congenital (present at birth) malformation; there are two main forms spina bifida occulta being more common. There is a deficit in the posterior part of the spinal column, usually in the lumbar region. Generally this causes no problems and the person may be unaware of its presence until it is disclosed by an x-ray taken for some other reason. Occasionally it is associated with a hairy patch or birthmark on the back, and a few children develop a mild spastic gait or bladder problems.

A congenital anomaly known as spina bifida, characterized by an abnormality in the vertebral column where a portion of the spinal cord, typically safeguarded within the vertebral column, remains exposed. Individuals affected by spina bifida may experience challenges such as urinary and fecal incontinence, cognitive difficulties, and restricted physical mobility.