Spina Bifida: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Spina Bifida is a birth disorder where the spine and the spinal cord of the fetus don’t close completely during the early stages of pregnancy. In India, a meta-analysis says that Spina Bifida affects about 9.46 per 1000 births and can result in mild or serious disabilities in the baby. To prevent this, healthcare professionals use prenatal tests like the AFP test (alpha fetoprotein test) to detect the risk of Spina Bifida early.

What is Spina Bifida?

The Spina Bifida definition is a neural tube defect in babies. It is a gap in the spine that has not closed properly. Spina Bifida types range from mild to severe: Spina Bifida Occulta, Meningocele, and Myelomeningocele.

Here, the neural tube is a structure found in an embryo that later develops into the brain and spinal cord. A baby with Spina Bifida may need surgery to close the opening after birth. Ongoing Spina Bifida treatment can also help manage symptoms throughout life.

What are the types of Spina Bifida?

The three Spina Bifida types are:

1. Spina Bifida Occulta: In this form, there is a small bone gap with no nerve damage. It is the mildest form of Spina Bifida. Most people with this condition have no signs, but a dimple or hair tuft can show up on the back.
2. Meningocele: In this form, the fluid sac pushes out, but there’s no spinal cord inside. This type of Spina Bifida can cause small bladder or bowel issues. Surgery usually helps manage the complications.
3. Myelomeningocele: This is the most serious type of Spina Bifida. It is also called ‘open’ Spina Bifida, which exposes the spinal cord, nerves, and coverings through a lower back sac. Babies with Meningocele face leg paralysis, bladder or bowel dysfunction, and the risk of permanent brain damage from excessive buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.

What are the Causes of Spina Bifida?

The exact reason behind this birth defect isn’t known. But experts attribute Spina Bifida to a mix of genetic and environmental factors. Some other possible Spina Bifida causes include:

1. Folate deficiency.
2. A family history of neural tube defects.
3. Uncontrolled diabetes and obesity of the mother.
4. The mother takes anti-seizure medications like valproic acid.

What are the Spina Bifida Symptoms?

Spina Bifida symptoms can vary based on the type, location, and size of the gap in the baby’s spine. Some common Spina Bifida symptoms include:

1. A tuft of hair or a birthmark.
2. Back pain.
3. Weakness in the legs.
4. Loss of sensation.
5. Paralysis.
6. Bladder and bowel issues.

If the baby has a mild case of Spina Bifida Occulta, there may not be any noticeable symptoms.

What are the Tests for Spina Bifida?

Doctors may recommend tests like the AFP test (alpha fetoprotein test) and ultrasound to detect Spina Bifida early. If the AFP test shows elevated levels in the mother’s blood, it signals the possibility of open neural tube defects in the fetus.

1. AFP Test (alpha fetoprotein test): In an AFP test, a blood test is done during the pregnancy to check if the unborn baby is at risk of Spina Bifida. It measures the level of AFP, a protein produced by the baby’s liver. If the AFP test shows high levels, it indicates that the baby may have Spina Bifida.
2. Postnatal Diagnosis: The doctor may recommend X-rays, MRI, CT scans, and ultrasounds to diagnose Spina Bifida after birth.

How to Get Spina Bifida Treatment?

If the baby is diagnosed with this defect early, Spina Bifida treatment starts with surgery soon after birth to close the spinal gap and prevent infection. While the ongoing Spina Bifida treatment involves:

1. Braces, walkers, or wheelchairs for mobility.
2. Medication and catheterisation.
3. Orthopaedic surgeries.
4. Folic acid doses as prescribed by the doctor.
5. Regular monitoring and checkups to detect infections or allergies.

Early detection and treatment can help manage Spina Bifida types effectively. If a baby shows any symptoms of this condition, consult a doctor and book a test on the Dr Lal PathLabs app.

FAQs

1. What is Spina Bifida meaning?
Spina Bifida is a neural tube congenital disability in which the spine and the spinal cord don’t get fully closed, forming hidden gaps or exposed sacs on the baby’s back.

2. What is Spina Bifida Treatment?
Spina Bifida treatment involves surgery for closing the defect, shunts for hydrocephalus (excessive buildup of cerebrospinal fluid), mobility aids, and lifelong management of Spina Bifida symptoms like paralysis and incontinence.

3. What are the tests for Spina Bifida?
The tests for Spina Bifida are the AFP test (alpha fetoprotein test), ultrasound, and postnatal MRI or X-rays.