Spina bifida is one of the most common congenital defects in babies, affecting the vertebral column and spinal cord. This defect can be found at any height of the spine and there are different types of spina bifida. In this post we talk about its most frequent symptoms and causes, and how spina bifida is diagnosed and treated. Stay reading!
What is spina bifida?
Spina bifida is a congenital malformation which is found within Neural Tube Defects (NTD), a type of congenital defect of the brain, spine or spinal cord.
Spina bifida affects three of the main systems of the body, those affected being the central nervous system, the musculoskeletal system and the genitourinary system.
The possibility of giving birth to a baby with this malformation is almost 2 in every 1,000 births in the population. This number increases when you have had a child who has spina bifida. Women are affected more frequently than men.
Types of spina bifida
Depending on the height and severity of the malformation, three types of spina bifida can be found. It talks about occult spina bifida or spine bifida occulta when it rarely affects the spinal cord and those who have it are unaware of it, so it is only diagnosed through an x-ray, generally in adulthood.
Meningocele is a cyst that protrudes from the baby's back that contains the structures that surround the spinal cord. For its part, the myelomeningocele It presents as the most common and most serious spina bifida.
Symptoms of spina bifida
The symptoms of spina bifida do not present in the same way in all patients. Thus, depending on the different types of spina bifida, different symptoms can be differentiated. Spina bifida occulta does not manifest any symptoms, but signs can be observed on the minor's skin.
Babies with myelomeningocele have a part of the spinal cord that protrudes out of the back, so the symptoms in these cases are significant. Additionally, the spinal canal is open along several vertebrae in the lower or middle part of the back.
Causes of spina bifida
As with some back abnormalities, Genetic factors and family history have to do with spina bifida, nutritional and environmental risk factors, and in some cases, the exact cause of spina bifida is unknown.
Risk factors for spina bifida
Just as women are the main risk group for this anomaly, spina bifida is more common among white people. Likewise, there are some risk factors.
Folate deficiency, a natural form of vitamin B9, may be a risk factor for spina bifida. and other neural tube defects. Therefore, it is important for the development of a healthy baby to find foods rich in folic acid.
In cases where there are relatives who have a defect in the neural tube, there is a greater probability of this malformation, increasing when there are two children with spina bifida.
The intake of medications, such as seizure medications, can cause side effects when taken during pregnancy. Likewise, the presence of diabetes has a higher risk of having a baby with spina bifida.
Diagnosis and treatment of spina bifida
The diagnosis and treatment of spina bifida will depend, in any case, on the severity of the case, so it is possible that in some cases no treatment is required because it is a mild pathology.
How do I know if my child has spina bifida?
The spina bifida can be detected during pregnancy through three tests. The AFP test will be performed in the second trimester of pregnancy, the objective of which is to measure the level of protein in the maternal blood. To this test, other complementary tests can be added such as ultrasounds and amniocentesis.
It is also possible to detect spina bifida after childbirth, in cases in which an abnormality is observed in some area of the spine, so an ultrasound, an x-ray, an MRI or an MRI will most likely be required. computed tomography.
Treatments available for spina bifida anomaly
There are spina bifida treatments before and after the baby is delivered. In cases where spina bifida is identified before the baby is born, the baby can be operated on at a specialist fetal surgery centre.
For babies born with spina bifida, surgery with a specialist team is recommended to close the back during the first days of life, thereby avoiding infections that could endanger the baby.
If you have any spinal pathology that requires surgical intervention, do not hesitate to make an appointment with our team. experts in minimally invasive spine surgery, recognized nationally and internationally, pioneers in the use of the most innovative technique for the treatment of the spine.
26 thoughts on “Espina bífida: qué es, síntomas, causas y tratamiento”
I have a positive result. I am 20 weeks pregnant. I want to know if there is any possibility that my daughter could be born healthy.
Hello Morayama,
There are spina bifida treatments before and after the baby is born. In cases where spina bifida is identified before birth, surgery can be performed before birth at a specialist fetal surgery center.
For babies born with spina bifida, surgery with a specialist team is recommended to close the back during the first days of life, thereby avoiding infections that could endanger the baby.
Greetings
Bonjour je suis guinéenne je suis atteinte de spina bifida
I will apply in 2021 and will be 28 years old.
The soucis is that j'ai quelques douleurs au level de la partie inférieure du two c'est à dire la hanche.
I'm sorry for your advice.
Hello,
In certain cases, a surgical intervention is recommended. Afin de vous aider, nous devrions l'examiner lors d'une medical consultation.
You can prendre rendez-vous en appelant (+34) 910 053 900.
Cordially.
Bonjour
Je suis kinesitheraPeute ma question est ce que on peut faire de la physiotherapie a une patiente qui a este diagostique fortuitement d un spina bifida al age de 31 ans souffrant d un mal de dos depuis 3 mois.
Mercy
Bonjour Toumi,
In principle, it is possible, but also the best experience to avoid complications.
Hello, I was diagnosed with occult spina bifida, now I am pregnant and I don't know if this could cause any complications during delivery. I have almost never had any symptoms other than the occasional spur pain.
Hello Valeria.
Although spina bifida is not a contraindication to epidural anesthesia, you should consult with your gynecologist and talk to the anesthetist about the possible risks it may present.
Greetings.
Is occult spina bifida the same as occult spinal dysraphism?
Hi Bea,
Occult spina bifida and occult spinal dysraphism are not exactly the same thing, although they are related.
You can make an appointment at +34 91 005 39 00 with one of our spine specialists for more information.
Greetings
Bonjour on diagnostiquer une Spina Bifida chez ma femme en grossesse de 32 semaines quels sont les riques et les remèdes possibles pour le bébé à la naissance merci
Bonjour, nous sommes désolés pour la situation que vous traversez. Les risques et les traitements peuvent varier selon chaque cas, c'est pourquoi il est essentiel qu'un médecin attentively examines the études réalisées. If you find out, you can take a look at the specialists, who will analyze the case and offer you the tips and advice you don't have to mention. Pour prendre rendez-vous, n'hésitez pas à nous appeler au (+34) 91 005 39 00.
My son is 17 years old and has been diagnosed with LACK OF COALITION OF THE POSTERIOR ARCH OF THE S1 SACRAL VERTEBRA IN RELATION TO SPINA BIFIDA OCULTA.
Please, I would like to know what consequences this may have and what treatment to follow.
Thank you very much.
Hello Noemi,
We are sorry to hear about your son's experience. Spina bifida occulta is usually a mild form that may not cause serious symptoms, but lack of coalition of the posterior arch at S1 can lead to pain or mobility problems. Treatment varies depending on the symptoms, and may include physical therapy, pain medication, or, in more serious cases, surgery.
We recommend you sRequest an appointment with a spine specialist to evaluate the particular case.
Greetings
Bonjour, know your people with 2 spines. Ma fille a été opéré à la naissance juste au dessus de la fesse et la au mois de novembre au niveau des cervicales. Mercy
Bonjour,
In our clinical setting, our traitons ce type de pathologies. Pour pouvoir évaluer le cas de votre girle et lui proposer le meilleur traitement, vous pouvez prendre rendez-vous en appelant le +34 910 053 900. Nous serons ravis de vous aider.
Hello, my newborn baby has a cleft in her sacrum and they never told us anything until the pediatrician saw her 15 days later and saw the cleft. Now she has referred her to the hospital but they haven't called us to see her yet. It's not very deep and there's no hair on it. Could there be something wrong with the cleft already or could she be completely healthy despite having the cleft?
Hello Aura,
I understand that you're concerned about your baby's cleft sac. It's important to keep in mind that a professional evaluation is essential to determine any potential implications related to this condition. While some clefts in the sac may be harmless, others may require follow-up or intervention. In these cases, it's best to wait until you see a specialist, who can conduct a detailed evaluation and determine if there's an underlying problem.
Greetings.
Bonjour, j'ai mal au two after quelques mois and the médecin m'a dit de faire le radio lombaire j'ai fait et cela montre que je l'ai spina bifida et je vois partout sur Internet que ça paralysé, et de ne plus pouvoir marcher et on peut devenir handicap à cause de ça, j'ai très peur J'attends your reply. Est-ce que ça se soigne avant d'être grave pour l'instant j'ai rien du tout, je marche, je suis pas handicapé du tout, j'ai juste mal au dos.
Bonjour,
We understand your concern. Spina bifida is a condition that manifests itself in different ways, and it does not cause any serious symptoms that you have on the Internet. In case names, if they are not the cause of current problems, they may be rewarded without major complications.
Pour pouvoir vous donner un avis plus précis, our équipe devrait examiner vos exams et évaluer votre cas de manière personnalisée. If you find out, you can take a look at the results to analyze them and recommend the best approach to take care of your illness and prevent complications. N'hésitez pas à nous contacter.
Greetings.
Hello, good morning. I think my 2-year-old son has this situation. Is there a solution?
Hello Thailla.
It's important to have a complete evaluation of your child's case by a pediatric neurologist or orthopedic surgeon to determine whether they truly have spina bifida and what type of treatment or intervention might be necessary. Spina bifida has different degrees, and depending on the specific situation, there may be treatment options that can help improve your child's quality of life.
We recommend that you consult with a specialist who can provide you with more information and guide you through the next steps.
Greetings.
Bonjour mon bébé est né avec les même malheureusement nous sommes en République démocratique du Congo où il est impossible de trouver la solution et parte dans un autre pays je ne pas se moyen financier j'ai tellement mâle de voir mon fils soufrire il n'a qu'une année de naissance de fois Did I have the last night or day after night?
Nous sommes profondément désolés pour la situation que vous décrivez. Spina bifida is a complex affection that is necessary for a multidisciplinary medical charge, and our understanding is that it is difficult without access to appropriate resources.
In a context with the cell phone of the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is the most useful tool to contact international organizations that offer medical assistance to children at this type of pathology. Entités comme Handicap International, Médecins Sans Frontières ou certaines foundations spécialisées dans la santé infantile peuvent fournir des conseils ou une aide concrète.
Il serait également recommandé de se rapprocher des hôpitaux publics, des universités ou des centers de santé pédiatriques de votre région qui travaillent en collaboration avec des NGOs Médicales ou des programs humanitaires.
A prize in charge précoce is essential to improve the quality of life of children atteints of spina bifida, and it is important that they do not lose espoir.
My child is 7 years old and he finds out with the bifida spina after another year with a lens in his beer and doesn't look good.
Hello Gladys,
Merci d'avoir partagé votre situation. Spina bifida may be associated with various neurological problems, noting delays in the development of language or cognitive abilities.
It is essential that your child is suitable for a pluridisciplinary team including a neuropediatrician, an orthophonist and, if possible, a psychomotrician. Ces professionnels pourront réaliser une évaluation globale de ses kisses et établir un plan d'intervention adaptedé pour favoriser au maximum ses capacés de communication, d'apprentissage et d'autonomie.
Greetings.