Spina bifida is the most common birth defect in the United
States. It is a type of neural tube defect (NTD). The neural tube is
a narrow channel that folds and closes during the third and fourth
weeks of pregnancy to form the brain and spinal cord. Spina bifida
happens if the portion of the neural tube that forms the spinal cord
does not close completely during the first month of pregnancy.
To learn more about Spina Bifida click on one of the following links
or scroll down the page.
What We Know About Spina Bifida
- How often does spina bifida occur?
- What problems do children with spina bifida have?
What We Still Do Not Know About Spina
Bifida
- What causes spina bifida?
- Can spina bifida be prevented?
Resources for Families and Individuals
Affected by Spina Bifida
| What
We Know About Spina Bifida |
How often does spina bifida occur?
CDC estimates that each year about 1,500 babies in the United
States are born with spina bifida (1). In other words, about 1
of every 2,500 babies born in the United States each year will have
spina bifida.
What problems do people with spina bifida have?
Spina bifida can cause physical, as well as learning disabilities.
The severity of the problem depends on the size and location of the
defect, whether skin covers the affected area(s), and whether spinal
nerves come out of the affected area.
Physical problems might include the following:
- Difficulty controlling bowel and bladder functions.
- Partial or complete loss of strength of the legs
(paralysis).
- People with spina bifida might need crutches, braces, or
wheelchairs to help them get around, depending on the size of
the opening and the care received after birth.
- Babies born with spina bifida might experience buildup of
fluid in the brain, a condition known as hydrocephalus.
- Some babies might develop meningitis, an infection in the
tissues surrounding the brain. Meningitis can cause brain injury
and can be life-threatening.
Long-term outcomes for children with spina bifida are poorest for
those with complete paralysis, hydrocephalus, and additional birth
defects. With proper care, most children with spina bifida live well
into adulthood.
Still, children with spina bifida might have learning
disabilities later in life, including:
- Difficulty paying attention.
- Problems with language and reading.
- Trouble learning math.
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| What
We Still Do Not Know About Spina Bifida |
What causes spina bifida?
While the cause of spina bifida is unknown, scientists believe that
many factors are involved.
We at CDC work with many other researchers to study risk factors
that can increase the chance of having a baby with spina bifida.
Following are examples of what our research has found:
- Hispanic babies are at an increased risk for spina bifida
(2).
- Mothers who are obese before they become pregnant are at a
higher risk than mothers who are of average weight for having a
baby with spina bifida (3).
- ·There has been a 24% decline in
babies born with spina bifida since the United States began
fortifying grains with folic acid (4).
Can spina bifida be prevented?
Currently, there is no known way to prevent spina bifida,
although steps can be taken to lower the risk. Recent studies
have shown that the addition of a B vitamin called folic acid to the
diet of women who might become pregnant can greatly reduce the
number of babies born with neural tube defects. CDC recommends
that all women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms of folic
acid daily. A single daily serving of most multivitamins and
fortified cereals contain 400 micrograms of folic acid.
In addition, mothers can take steps before and during pregnancy
to be healthy, including not smoking and not drinking alcohol during
pregnancy.
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|
Resources for Families and Individuals Affected by Spina
Bifida |
Spina Bifida Association
Medline
National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke
March of Dimes
References
- Canfield MA, Honein MA, Yuskiv N, Xing J, Mai CT, Collins
JS, et al. National estimates and race/ethnic-specific variation
of selected birth defects in the United States, 1999-2001. Birth
Defects Res Part A Clin Mol Teratol. 2006;76(11):747–56.
- Williams LJ, Rasmussen SA, Flores A, Kirby RS, Edmonds LD.
Decline in the prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly by
race/ethnicity: 1995-2002. Pediatrics. 2005;116(3):580–6.
- Watkins ML, Rasmussen SA, Honein MA, Botto LD, Moore CA.
Maternal obesity and risk for birth defects. Pediatrics. 2003;
111(5):1152-58.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Spina bifida and
anencephaly prevalence--United States, 1991-2001. MMWR Morb
Mortal Wkly Rep. 2002;51:9–11.
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Date:
March 11, 2009
Content source: National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental
Disabilities
