{"id":13988,"date":"2021-09-30T16:25:20","date_gmt":"2021-09-30T14:25:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pianetadonna.aogoi.it\/non-categorizzato\/what-is-spina-bifida\/"},"modified":"2024-06-07T13:48:28","modified_gmt":"2024-06-07T11:48:28","slug":"what-is-spina-bifida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pianetadonna.aogoi.it\/en\/pregnancy-prevention\/folic-acid\/what-is-spina-bifida\/","title":{"rendered":"WHAT IS SPINA BIFIDA?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spina bifida<\/span><\/strong> is a birth defect<\/strong> of the spinal cord<\/strong> caused by the failure of the neural tube<\/strong> (the structure of the embryo<\/strong> from which the brain<\/strong> and spinal cord<\/strong> develop) to close during the first month of intrauterine life<\/strong>. In spina bifida,<\/strong> the bones of the canal in which the spinal cord is located do not close<\/strong> and therefore the underlying structures can cause a hernia<\/strong> through the bone canal. If the herniation<\/strong> affects only the meninges, it<\/strong> is referred to as spina bifida with meningocele<\/strong>; if it also involves the spine, it is referred to as myelomeningocele<\/strong>. Finally, if the spinal cord is also fissured,<\/strong> this is referred to as neuroschisis<\/strong>. <\/span><\/p>\n

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The damage that can derive from this is very variable. In severe cases, the spinal cord<\/strong> protrudes from the spine (cystic spina bifida)<\/strong>. This leads to injury not only of the spinal cord<\/strong>, but also of the nerve endings<\/strong> that are connected to it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Symptoms mainly depend on the severity of the condition<\/strong> and range from the so-called “clubfoot<\/strong>” to more or less serious difficulties in moving the lower limbs up to paralysis<\/strong>. Other issues include problems with the nerves of the bladder<\/strong> and the nerves of the sphincters<\/strong>, which cause incontinence problems<\/strong>. Many cases of spina bifida<\/strong> involve hydrocephalus<\/strong>, which is an increase in the volume of the cerebrospinal fluid (“liquor”)<\/strong>. In other words, there is an abnormal accumulation of fluids within the brain itself.<\/p>\n

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The causes that determine the onset of spina bifida<\/strong> are still unknown, but the pathology certainly depends on numerous factors. It is known as a multifactorial disease<\/strong>, meaning it is caused by the interaction of genetic factors<\/strong> with environmental factors<\/strong>, such as geographical area<\/strong>, socio-economic conditions, drug<\/strong> intake and, above all, a maternal diet low in folate<\/strong> (vitamin B9<\/strong>), which is essential from conception for the development of the embryo and fetus since the requirement for it increases considerably during this time.<\/p>\n

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Spina bifida can be<\/span><\/strong> diagnosed even before birth<\/strong> via ultrasound<\/strong>, but the diagnostic possibilities depend on many factors, including the severity of the deformation<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are also other tests that indicate a higher risk of the fetus having spina bifida<\/strong>, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n