Spina Bifida

It is a congenital disease in which the spinal cord tissue inside the spine protrudes outward, forming a sac on the baby’s back. Since the spinal cord is a nerve tissue directly connected to the brain, this condition can cause serious neurological problems such as paralysis, hydrocephalus, walking difficulties, bowel and bladder disorders. In our country, it is seen in approximately 3 out of every 1000 newborns.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of the disease can be made during pregnancy. With ultrasound (US) and MRI imaging, a definitive diagnosis can be established. When a perinatologist detects this problem, the expectant mother is referred to a neurosurgeon. If it is not detected during pregnancy, the diagnosis of spina bifida is made at birth.

Types

• Spina Bifida Occulta: The mildest form of the disease. It does not cause symptoms. There is no sac protruding outward. Surgery is often not required.
• Meningocele: The sac protruding outward does not contain nerve tissue. This occurs when the meninges surrounding the spinal cord herniate, forming a sac on the back.
• Myelomeningocele: The spinal cord tissue protrudes completely exposed. It is the most common and the most severe form of spina bifida.

Causes

The most important factor believed to cause the disease is folic acid deficiency in the mother. In this sense, spina bifida is considered a preventable condition. If the expectant mother starts taking folic acid supplements 3 months before pregnancy and continues through the first 8 weeks of pregnancy, the risk of spina bifida in the child is significantly reduced.

Treatment

The treatment of spina bifida is surgical. The tissues that have protruded outward are placed back into their proper location inside the spine by a neurosurgeon. Early treatment minimizes potential damage caused by the condition. Surgery should be performed within the first 48 hours after birth. After surgery, physical therapy may be applied to strengthen the leg muscles and facilitate walking.