June is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month
June is National Spina Bifida Awareness Month. Learn about spina bifida, a condition in which the protective bones around the spinal cord are not formed completely, leaving the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and spinal cord unprotected.
What is spina bifida?
In children with spina bifida, the bones that protect the spinal cord did not form completely during development in the mother’s womb. This happens very early in pregnancy, often before many women know they are pregnant. There are four types of spina bifida, classified by level of severity. From mildest to most severe, these are:
- Spina bifida occulta — The meninges (the lining around the CSF) and spinal cord do not push through the opening in the bone, and they usually remain undamaged. Many people might have this type and not even be aware. It typically does not require treatment.
- Lipmyelomeningocele — Some abnormal fatty tissue pushes through the opening in the bone and may cause nerve compression.
- Meningocele — The meninges may be damaged and push through the opening in the bone, forming a sac containing CSF. The spinal cord stays where it belongs.
- Myelomeningocele — The meninges and the spinal cord push through the opening in the bone. Some people may have difficulty with movement, and some may be paralyzed. Myelomeningocele is treated with surgery.
Causes of spina bifida
The cause of spina bifida is unknown, but there are genetic, environmental and nutritional risks linked to it. Spina bifida is less likely to occur when women get enough folic acid before and during pregnancy.
Spina bifida is less likely to occur when women get enough folic acid...
To find out how spina bifida is treated with surgery and what to expect after surgery, check out Spina bifida: Treatment and caring for your child after surgical repair.
Babies with spina bifida require ongoing assessment as they grow and develop, and they will be followed by different health-care teams.
AboutKidsHealth is SickKids’ health-education website and features more than 3,500 articles on a range of paediatric health topics. Find more information on spina bifida and other health topics at aboutkidshealth.ca.
