About Spina Bifida

What is it:

Spina Bifida (SB) is a type of birth defect known as a neural tube defect that occurs when the baby’s spinal cord does not close completely. The defect typically occurs in the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before the mother even knows she is pregnant. It is the most common disabling birth defect and affects approximately 166,000 individuals in the United States. The rate of spina bifida in Texas is estimated to be twice the national average, affecting 2 in every 1,000 births.
 

Types of Spina Bifida:

Spina Bifida has a variety of symptoms and the severity of them depends on the size of the opening and the location of the opening on the spine. The three most common types of SB are as follows:

·      Myelomeningocele – This is the most serious form of SB and is characterized by a sac of fluid coming through the baby’s back which includes part of the baby’s spinal cord. Moderate to severe disabilities are associated with this diagnosis and can include bladder/bowel dysfunction, loss of feeling in the person’s legs or feet, and may include paralysis.

·      Meningocele – This type of SB involves a fluid-filled sac protruding from an opening in the baby’s back, however this form does not involve the spinal cord. This type of spina bifida can cause minor disabilities.

·      Spina Bifida Occulta – This is the least severe of the three most common forms of SB. There is a small gap in the spine that is not associated with an opening on the back. The spinal cord and nerves are generally normal and there are usually no disabilities associated with it.

PREVENTION

Spina Bifida happens in the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. Although folic acid is not a guarantee that a woman will have a healthy pregnancy, taking folic acid can help reduce a woman’s risk of having a pregnancy affected by SB. Because half of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, it is important that all women who can become pregnant take 400 mcg of folic acid daily.

 

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