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Spina Bifida
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 Medical Encyclopedia
Diagnosis and Tests
- Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Test National Library of Medicine
- How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Spina Bifida? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Maternal Serum Screening, Second Trimester American Association for Clinical Chemistry
Related Issues
- Are There Disorders or Conditions Associated with Spina Bifida? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Hydrocephalus and Shunts Spina Bifida Association of America
- Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Meningomyelocele National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Spinal Dysraphism National Institutes of Health
Statistics and Research
- Data and Statistics on Spina Bifida Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Find an Expert
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- March of Dimes Foundation March of Dimes Foundation
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Prevention and Risk Factors
- Folic Acid: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
Genetics
- Genetics and Spina Bifida Spina Bifida Association of America
- Spina bifida: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
Living With
- Health Issues and Treatments for Spina Bifida Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Learning Among Children with Spina Bifida Spina Bifida Association of America
- Living with Spina Bifida (at Different Ages) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Precocious Puberty Spina Bifida Association of America
Men
- Men’s Health and Spina Bifida Spina Bifida Association of America
Patient Handouts
- Meningocele repair Medical Encyclopedia
- Myelomeningocele Medical Encyclopedia
Treatments and Therapies
- Meningocele repair – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
- What Are the Treatments for Spina Bifida and Related Conditions? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Children
- Myelomeningocele (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
Journal Articles
Start Here
- Spina Bifida March of Dimes Foundation
- Spina Bifida National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Specifics
- Spina Bifida Occulta Spina Bifida Association of America
Games
- Spina Bifida Quiz Centers for Disease Control and Prevention