Guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida are the fourth edition of. Spina bifida is what is known as a neural tube defect. Reproductive health care for women with spina bifida. Folic acid fortification and neural tube defect risk mdpi. Spina bifida is a birth defect in which the vertebral column is open, often with spinal cord involvement. In this time the babys developing spine neural tube fails to close properly. Spina bifida describes a group of spinal abnormalities that occurs in the first four weeks of a pregnancy. Spina bifida guide united states department of veterans. Furthermore, the hoffer categories were condensed by combining community with. The most clinically significant subtype is myelomeningocele open spina bifida, which is a condition characterized by failure of the lumbosacral spinal neural tube to close during embryonic development. A clear understanding of the pathologic anatomy of the spinal malformation is a fundamental prerequisite.
Open spina bifida is the most complex congenital abnormality compatible with longterm survival. Functional independence among young adults with spina bifida, in. Myelomeningocele primary repair surgical technique springerlink. Spina bifida is a condition that affects the spine and is usually apparent at birth. For analysis of socioeconomic status, unicef economic indicator data were merged with. Spina bifida comes from a latin term which means split spine. A public health challenge pdf icon pdf 963 kb researchers at cdc are working on a series of projects to improve the quality of life and encourage full participation at every age for those living with spina bifida. This report outlines the 20 to 25year outcome for our original cohort of patients with a. Occulta is the mildest and most common form in which one or more vertebrae are malformed. The name occulta, which means hidden, indicates that a layer of skin covers the malformation. Women with spina bifida have unique health care concerns and as the life expectancy of.
Spina bifida sb is one of the most common birth defects and causes of. Learn about health issues and treatments for spina bifida. If a baby has the condition, during development, the neural tube a group of cells. Clinical appearance of a lumbar myelomeningocele a and schematic drawing bof the. The walls of the cyst were merged with dura laterally, arachnoid from the posterior cord surface, and fibrous tissue from the center of the bifid cord elements.