What is Spina Bifida?

Answer 1

It is a neural tube defect that's been linked to a lack of folic acid in the diet. It can be manifested in two ways with a wide spread of variations between the two. One is spina bifida occulta, where the spinal column (the bones themselves) don't close completely over the spinal cord. This usually happens in the lower back to buttock regions of the spinal cord, and can be detected at birth but sometimes isn't caught until later in life. The other form is more severe, resulting in paralysis and lifelong problems, and usually manifests with some form of mental retardation or other similar problems. That's when a sac forms outside the spinal column, outside the body, that is either made of spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid, and the lining around the brain and spinal cord (meninges), or just fluid and meninges. If this is left untreated, it can pull the brain stem down through the foramen magnum at the base of the skull, causing permanent damage and death. Not good at all when you can prevent it by taking folic acid supplements.

Answer 2

Spina bifida is the most common of a group of birth defects called neural tube defects (NTDs). The neural tube is the embryonic structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord. Often called open spine, spina bifida affects the backbone and, sometimes, the spinal cord. It is among the most common severe birth defects in the United States, affecting 1,500 to 2,000 babies (one in every 2,000 live births) each year. Spina bifida and other NTDs occur more frequently among Hispanics and whites of European extraction and, less commonly, among Ashkenazi Jews, most Asian ethnic groups and African-Americans.

Occulta. In this usually symptomless form, there is a small defect or gap in one or more of the vertebrae of the spine. The spinal cord and nerves usually are normal, and most affected individuals have no problems.

Meningocele. In this rarest form, a cyst or lump consisting of membranes surrounding the spinal cord pokes through the open part of the spine. The cyst, which can vary in size, can be removed by surgery, allowing for normal development.

Myelomeningocele. In this most severe form, the cyst holds both the membranes surrounding the spinal canal and nerve roots of the spinal cord and, often, the cord itself. Or there may be no cyst, but only a fully exposed section of the spinal cord and nerves. Spinal fluid may leak out. Affected babies are at high risk of infection until the back is closed surgically, although antibiotic treatment may offer temporary protection. In spite of surgery, some degree of leg paralysis and bladder and bowel control problems remain.



I am a nurse so i thought this would help!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 3

You got some pretty good answers on here. Really good and really thorough. I have a 12 years old daughter with spina bifida. She is absolutely gorgeous and very very smart. She has a VP shunt which was implanted at birth to drain the cerebral fluid off of her brain and she also has neurogenic bladder, which is a condition where the bladder hardens and doesn't grow and causes recurrent urinary tract infections. She is in a wheelchair, although she is not completely paralyzed. She can ambulate without her chair, but she "scoots" and cannot walk. She can transfer in and out of vehicles and on and off of furniture. She is very independent. I just wanted to give you a personal account to go along with the great answers you received for everyone else.

Answer 4

spina bifida is when the skin does not completely cover the spinal cord which in turn exposes nerves. it is a gaping hole in the skin.

Answer 5

A congenital defect in which the spinal column is imperfectly closed so that part of the meninges or spinal cord protrudes, often resulting in hydrocephalus and other neurological disorders. Also called schistorrhachis.

Answer 6

well I assume that you can deduce that it is a condition of the spinal cord...it is when the column is all out of whack from side to side and not in its regular curve....it is hereditary as I remember...but it can jump generations..

Answer 7

No