Spina Bifida

Also called: Cleft spine, Open spine

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Summary

Spina bifida is a neural tube defect - a type of birth defect of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. It happens if the spinal column of the fetus doesn't close completely during the first month of pregnancy. This can damage the nerves and spinal cord. Screening tests during pregnancy can check for spina bifida. Sometimes it is discovered only after the baby is born.

The symptoms of spina bifida vary from person to person. Most people with spina bifida are of normal intelligence. Some people need assistive devices such as braces, crutches, or wheelchairs. They may have learning difficulties, urinary and bowel problems, or hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the brain.

The exact cause of spina bifida is unknown. It seems to run in families. Taking folic acid can reduce the risk of having a baby with spina bifida. It's in most multivitamins. Women who could become pregnant should take it daily.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Start Here

Spina Bifida (March of Dimes Foundation)
Spina Bifida (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Diagnosis and Tests

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Spina Bifida? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish

Prevention and Risk Factors

Folic Acid: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

Meningocele repair - series (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
What Are the Treatments for Spina Bifida and Related Conditions? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish

Living With

Health Issues and Treatments for Spina Bifida (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
Learning Among Children with Spina Bifida (Spina Bifida Association of America) - PDF
Living with Spina Bifida (at Different Ages) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish
Precocious Puberty (Spina Bifida Association of America) - PDF

Related Issues

Are There Disorders or Conditions Associated with Spina Bifida? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
Hydrocephalus and Shunts (Spina Bifida Association of America) - PDF Also in Spanish
Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

Specifics

Spina Bifida Occulta (Spina Bifida Association of America) Also in Spanish

Genetics

Genetics and Spina Bifida (Spina Bifida Association of America) Also in Spanish
Spina bifida: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)

Test Your Knowledge

Spina Bifida Quiz (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Statistics and Research

Data and Statistics on Spina Bifida (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Meningomyelocele (National Institutes of Health)
ClinicalTrials.gov: Spinal Dysraphism (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Find an Expert

Children

Myelomeningocele (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Men

Men's Health and Spina Bifida (Spina Bifida Association of America) - PDF

Patient Handouts

Meningocele repair (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Myelomeningocele (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

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MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Spina Bifida is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Disclaimers

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