What kind of birth defect is spina bifida?

What kind of birth defect is spina bifida?

Spina bifida is a birth defect where there is incomplete closing of the backbone and membranes around the spinal cord.

How many people are born with spina bifida occulta?

About 15% of people have spina bifida occulta. Rates of other types of spina bifida vary significantly by country, from 0.1 to 5 per 1000 births. On average in developed countries, including the United States, it occurs in about 0.4 per 1000 births. In India it affects about 1.9 per 1000 births.

What should you do if your baby has spina bifida?

Hydrocephalus needs to be followed closely and treated properly to prevent brain injury. If a baby with spina bifida has hydrocephalus, a surgeon can put in a shunt.

Can a person with spina bifida go to the bathroom?

People with spina bifida often cannot control when they go to the bathroom (incontinence). They also can develop urinary tract infections. It is important to develop a plan for going to the bathroom that works and is as simple as possible.

Can a baby be born with spina bifida?

A neurosurgeon may perform this procedure at the same time as spine surgery. Some babies with spina bifida, in particular myelomeningocele, are born with a Chiari malformation, in which part of the brain pushes into the spinal canal.

Is there a gap in the spine with spina bifida?

With it, there is a small gap in the spine, but no opening or sac on the back. The spinal cord and the nerves usually are normal. Many times, Spina Bifida Occulta is not discovered until late childhood or adulthood. This type of spina bifida usually does not cause any disabilities. There are forms of Spina Bifida Occulta that do cause problems.

When do you find out you have spina bifida occulta?

Many times, Spina Bifida Occulta is not discovered until late childhood or adulthood. This type of spina bifida usually does not cause any disabilities. There are forms of Spina Bifida Occulta that do cause problems. They are: Lipomyelomeningocele and lipomeningocele—this is like a tethered spinal cord, except it is attached to a benign fatty tumor

Which is the most common form of spina bifida?

Find some more fast facts about spina bifida. The most common and serious form of spina bifida is called myelomeningocele (my•e•lo•me•nin•go•cele) (MMC), in which part of the spinal cord and surrounding nerves push through the open bones (vertebrae) in the spine and protrude from the fetus’ back.