Patient's question:
My wife gave birth to a child with spina bifida. Could you please explain what is going on?Doctor's answer:
Spinal bifida is a congenital malformation of the spine, also known as vertebral dysraphism or incomplete spinal closure. It is primarily caused by a developmental defect in the neural tube during embryonic development in the mother, and it is now widely believed to be associated with folic acid deficiency in early pregnancy. The fundamental pathological change of spinal bifida is the partial or complete absence of spinous processes and laminae of the vertebrae, leading to incomplete closure of the spinal canal and direct contact, or even protrusion, of the spinal canal contents with extraspinal tissues. The condition can affect one or multiple vertebrae and is often accompanied by malformations of the nervous system or other systems. Spinal bifida is most commonly found in the lumbosacral region, followed by the cervical region, with fewer cases occurring in other areas.