Spina bifida and other spinal dysraphisms

What it is

A group of rare neural tube defect disorders characterized by improper closure of the spinal column during embryonal development that is usually not associated with other major congenital malformations but may include ventriculomegaly. The extent of the closure defect may vary, ranging from spina bifida occulta, in which the site of the lesion is not exposed (e.g. an isolated posterior vertebral arch defect), to spina bifida aperta, in which the lesion may be conformed of proturding spinal cord and meninges (myelomeningocele) or meninges exposure only (meningocele), with or without a proturding sac at the site of the lesion, to the most severe defect which includes total exposure of the spinal cord along its full length (rachischisis). Depending on the type, size and site of the defect, severe morbidity, typically inlcuding motor, sensory and sphincter dysfunction, and mortality may be associated. Spina bifida occulta may be asymptomatic.

Key facts

Prevalence

1-5 / 10 000 (Europe)

Age of onset

Infancy, Neonatal

Inheritance

Multigenic/multifactorial, Not applicable

Classified as

Category

Prevalence figures describe populations, not individuals, and are often estimates from a single study. Where the figure is an incidence or a birth prevalence, it says so.

Cross-references