Spina Bifida
Spina bifida (pronounced spy·nuh bif-i-duh) is a major birth defect of a baby’s spine. It is one of the most common, permanently disabling birth defects in the United States. Spina bifida, which literally means “cleft spine,” is characterized by the incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or meninges. Meninges is the protective covering around the brain and spinal cord.
The human nervous system develops from a small, specialized plate of cells along the back of an embryo. Early in development, the edges of this plate begin to curl up toward each other, creating the neural tube – a narrow sheath that closes to form the brain and spinal cord of the embryo. As development progresses, the top of the tube becomes the brain and the remainder becomes the spinal cord. This process is usually complete by the 28th day of pregnancy. But if problems occur during this process, the result can be brain disorders called neural tube defects (NTDs), including spina bifida.
There is no cure for spina bifida. The nerve tissue that is damaged or lost cannot be repaired or replaced, nor can function be restored to the damaged nerves.
Preventing Spina Bifida
Most, but not all, cases of spina bifida can be prevented.
Folic acid is a B vitamin that the body needs to make healthy new cells. It is very important for all women of childbearing age to make sure they get 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid (also called folate) every day, starting at least one month before getting pregnant. If a woman has enough folic acid in her body before and during pregnancy, it can help prevent major birth defects of the baby’s brain and spine (anencephaly and spina bifida) by 50 to 70 percent.
Although taking folic acid cannot guarantee having a healthy baby, it can significantly reduce the risk of having a child with a neural tube defect, such as spina bifida.
Women who have a child with spina bifida, or have spina bifida themselves, or have already had a pregnancy affected by any neural tube defect are at greater risk of having a child with spina bifida or another neural tube defect. These women may require more folic acid before they become pregnant.
Children with spina bifida can lead relatively active lives. Prognosis depends on the number and severity of abnormalities and associated complications. Most children with the disorder have normal intelligence and can walk, usually with assistive devices. If learning problems develop, early educational intervention is helpful.
Sources High in Folic Acid Include
- Dark green vegetables
- Egg yolks
- Some fruits
- Fortified foods such as some breakfast cereals, enriched breads, flours, pastas, rice, and other grain products
- Some multivitamins