BIRTH DEFECTS

Spina bifida
Spina bifida is a condition which affects the vertebrae, or backbones, and sometimes the spinal cord. 70% of spina bifida cases are preventable by taking adequate amounts of folate vitamin during pregnancy.
There are several forms of spina bifida. The mildest form is occulta, where the only visible evidence is a tuft of hair on the back. The next two forms are spina bifida with meningocele and spina bifida with meningomyelocele. In these two cases a cyst-like sac protrudes from the back, in the first case only containing cerebral spinal fluid, but in meningomyelocele, the cyst contains part of the spinal cord. In the most severe form, spina bifida with myeloschiscis, the cyst is open and the spinal cord is exposed to the outside elements.
The defect usually can be repaired at birth if it is small and isolated. Experimental surgery is also being done now while the baby is still in the womb.

Click here to return to the birth defects list