Spina Bifida Also called: Cleft spine, Open spine 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 National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Encyclopedia Alpha fetoprotein Related Issues Are There Disorders or Conditions Associated with Spina Bifida? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Hypertension and Spina Bifida Spina Bifida Association of America Living with Spina Bifida Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Prenatal Surgery: Helping Babies Before Birth Nemours Foundation Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Type 2 Diabetes and Spina Bifida Spina Bifida Association of America Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Meningomyelocele National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Spinal Dysraphism National Institutes of Health Specifics Frequently Asked Questions about Spina Bifida Spina Bifida Association of America Spina Bifida Occulta Spina Bifida Association of America Genetics Genetics and Spina Bifida Spina Bifida Association of America Genetics Home Reference: spina bifida National Library of Medicine Living With Health Issues and Treatments Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Women Healthcare for Women Spina Bifida Association of America Diagnosis and Tests How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Spina Bifida? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Second Trimester Maternal Serum Screening American Association for Clinical Chemistry Treatments and Therapies Hydrocephalus and Shunts Spina Bifida Association of America What Are the Treatments for Spina Bifida and Related Conditions? National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Children Learning Among Children with Spina Bifida Spina Bifida Association of America Pediatric Urinary Tract Infection Spina Bifida Association of America Precocious Puberty Spina Bifida Association of America Spina Bifida Nemours Foundation Find an Expert March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Child Health and Human Development National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Prevention and Risk Factors MedlinePlus: Folic Acid National Library of Medicine Men Men’s Health and Spina Bifida Spina Bifida Association of America Array Meningocele repair Meningocele repair – slideshow Myelomeningocele Journal Articles Spina Bifida Start Here Spina Bifida National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Spina Bifida Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Spina Bifida Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Spina Bifida National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Spina Bifida National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Spina Bifida March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Spina Bifida (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Statistics and Research Spina Bifida Data and Statistics Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health Check Tools Test Your Knowledge of Spina Bifida Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
