Definition
Spina Bifida commonly referred to as Myelomeningocele is a congenital disorder (birth defect) where the backbone and spinal canal do not close before birth. This can result in the spinal cord and its covering membranes to protrude out of the infant's back..

What is Spina Bifida?
Myelomeningocele or Spina Bifida is one of the most common birth defects of the central nervous system. It is a defect in which the bones of the spine do not completely form, and the spinal canal is incomplete. This allows the spinal cord and meninges (the membranes covering the spinal cord) to protrude out of the child's back.

Spina Bifida includes any congenital defect involving insufficient closure of the spine. Myelomeningocele accounts for about 75% of all cases of Spina Bifida and may affect as many as 1 out of every 800 infants. The rest of the cases are most commonly spina bifida occulta (where the bones of the spine do not close, the spinal cord and meninges remain in place and the skin usually covers the defect) and meningoceles (where the meninges protrude through the vertebral defect but the spinal cord remains in place).

Protrusion of the spinal cord and meninges demages the spinal cord and nerve roots causing a decrease or lack of function of body functions controlled at or below the defect.

Most defects occur in the lower lumbar or the sacral areas of the back (the lowest areas of the back) because this area is normally the part of the spine to close.

Symptoms

• Visible sac-like protrusion on the mild to lower back of a newborn
• This sac is not translucent when a light is shone from behind the sac
• Weakness of the hips, legs, or feet of a new born
• Partial or complete paralysis of legs
• Partial or complete lock of sensation
• Spina Bifida occulta may be indicated by a tuft of hair at the sacral area (back part of the pelvis)