Each year, thousands of infants are born with a life altering, genetic defect known as Spina Bifida. Even with proper nutrition and diet during pregnancy, many babies are born with this neural tube defect which leads to complications of the senses, motor function, autonomic function and even functions involving cognitive development. For most child patients, Spina Bifida is classified as one of two types; occult or open. Beyond the two categories of Spina Bifida, however, some children also suffer from other neural tube defects known as anencephaly or even cranium bifidum. The type and extent of the neural tube defect, diagnosed soon after birth, will determine the direction in which the life care plan will be established for the Spina Bifida child for years to come. So, what exactly is a neural tube defect?

As a key component of the cardiovascular system, the neural tube begins to develop within the first few weeks of pregnancy and gestation. In what will develop into the spinal column and brain, the neural tube plays a key role in the cardiovascular and neurological development of fetus during the first trimester of pregnancy. When impaired or malformed, the child will develop what is known as a neural tube defect leading to diagnoses such as Spina Bifida. For children who experience an incomplete closure of the neural tube, but present with an overlay of skin, the condition is known as Spina Bifida Occulta. While neurological complications may not be present at birth in the Spina Bifida Occulta infant, they will commonly come to fruition with aging and, in many cases, impact a teenager with symptoms of pain, weakness and even foot deformities. Spina Bifida Occulta affects only three to five percent of the birth population but, when not diagnosed and treated appropriately, can impact young adults, especially those who participate in athletic activities.

Beyond Spina Bifida Occulta, there is a neural tube defect more complicating and more readily diagnosed, known as Open Spina Bifida. In this neural tube defect, the neural tube not only fails to close but the child is also born without an overlay of skin or tissue to protect the opening of the neural tube. As a result, the child experiences more significant health complications associated with Open Spina Bifida including impaired motor development, impaired sensory, especially involving touch in the lower extremities and even abnormal cognitive development due to the involvement of brain tissue in the development of the neural tube defect.

For many new mothers, the screening for Spina Bifida is usually obtained through prenatal testing, including AFP tests. However, in rare cases, even AFP tests do not reveal 100 percent of the Spina Bifida cases. As a result, mothers are often quite frightened when labor and delivery leads to the birth of an infant suffering from these significant birth defects. For this reason, both during and before pregnancy, women should work aggressively to eat a balanced diet, rich in folic acid and follow up on appropriate prenatal care. When faced with the familial history of birth defects involving Spina Bifida, consult with the pediatrician regarding additional genetic testing during pregnancy in an effort to rule out the birth defect or, in case of positive diagnosis, make the proper prenatal preparations for birth of a special needs child.