Also called: Also called: Cleft spine, Open spine
Spina bifida is the most common disabling birth defect in the United States. It is a type of neural tube defect, which is a problem with the spinal cord or its coverings. It happens if the fetal spinal column doesn't close completely during the first month of pregnancy. There is usually nerve damage that causes at least some paralysis of the legs. Many people with spina bifida will need assistive devices such as braces, crutches or wheelchairs. They may have learning difficulties, urinary and bowel problems or hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the brain.
There is no cure. Treatments focus on the complications, and can include surgery, medicine and physiotherapy. Taking folic acid can reduce the risk of having a baby with spina bifida. It's in most multivitamins. Women who could become pregnant should take it daily.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Spina Bifida(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/ill/spina_bifida.html
- Spina Bifida(March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation) - http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/4439_1224.asp
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Spina Bifida
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/spina_bifida/detail_spina_bifida.htm
Also available in Spanish http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/trastornos/espina_bifida.htm
- Frequently Asked Questions about Spina Bifida(Spina Bifida Association of America) - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2642327/k.5899/FAQ_About_Spina_Bifida.htm
- Spina Bifida(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/spina-bifida/DS00417/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
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Spina Bifida(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/spina_bifida/spina_bifida.htm
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Hydrocephalus and Shunts in the Person with Spina Bifida(Spina Bifida Association of America) - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2725875/k.BDDF/Hydrocephalus_and_Shunts_in_the_Person_with_Spina_Bifida.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2644947/k.6341/Spanish_Fact_Hidrocefalia.htm
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MedlinePlus: Folic Acid(National Library of Medicine) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/folicacid.html
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/folicacid.html
- Triple Screen or Quad Screen(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/triple_screen/test.html
- Spina Bifida Occulta(Spina Bifida Association of America) - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2700275/k.5F64/Spina_Bifida_Occulta.htm
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Depression and Anxiety in Individuals with Spina Bifida(Spina Bifida Association of America) - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2664425/apps/s/content.asp?ct=3822555
Also available in Spanish http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2644933/k.614C/Spanish_Fact_Depresion.htm
- Latex (Natural Rubber) Allergy in Spina Bifida(Spina Bifida Association of America) - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2700271/k.1779/Latex_Natural_Rubber_Allergy_in_Spina_Bifida.htm
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Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) - Short Summary - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tethered_cord/tethered_cord.htm
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Spinal Dysraphism(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Spinal+Dysraphism%22
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Genetics and Spina Bifida(Spina Bifida Association of America) - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2664425/apps/s/content.asp?ct=3822567
Also available in Spanish http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2644941/k.5720/Spanish_Fact_Genetics.htm
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Spina bifida occulta and monozygotic twins. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18831659&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Development and validation of the fecal incontinence and constipation quality... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18721959&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Tap water irrigation and additives to optimize success with the... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18721951&tool=MedlinePlus
- Spina Bifida -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=spinal+dysraphism[majr]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Spina Bifida Clinic Directory(Spina Bifida Association of America) - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2642345/
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March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation - http://www.marchofdimes.com/
Also available in Spanish http://www.nacersano.org/
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National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://espanol.ninds.nih.gov/
- Spina Bifida Association of America - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/
- Agent Orange Benefits Act(Spina Bifida Association of America) - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2700255/k.598B/Agent_Orange_Fact_Sheet.htm
- Spina Bifida / Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV)(Dept. of Veterans Affairs) - http://www.va.gov/hac/forbeneficiaries/spina/spina.asp
- Trends in Spina Bifida and Anencephalus in the United States, 1991-2005(National Center for Health Statistics) - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/spine_anen.htm
- Learning Among Children with Spina Bifida(Spina Bifida Association of America) - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2700281/k.E95C/Learning_Among_Children_with_Spina_Bifida.htm
- Precocious Puberty in Children Who Have Spina Bifida with Hydrocephalus(Spina Bifida Association of America) - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2664425/apps/s/content.asp?ct=3822593
- Spina Bifida(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/bone/spina_bifida.html
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Toilet Training the Child with Spina Bifida(Spina Bifida Association of America) - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2664425/apps/s/content.asp?ct=3822599
Also available in Spanish http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2644937/k.5F59/Spanish_Fact_Ensenanza.htm
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Transitioning Urologic Care(Spina Bifida Association of America) - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2700299/k.A604/Transitioning_Urologic_Care.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2645375/k.6012/Spanish_Fact_Urologicos.htm
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Transitions into Adolescence(Spina Bifida Association of America) - http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2700301/k.DCC4/Transitions_Into_Adolescence.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.liKWL7PLLrF/b.2644929/k.66A2/Spanish_Fact_Adolescencia.htm
- Neural Tube Defects - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/neuraltubedefects.html
- Brain and Nerves - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/brainandnerves.html
- Genetics/Birth Defects - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/geneticsbirthdefects.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Spina Bifida is the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke - http://www.ninds.nih.gov/