How to Recognize Spina Bifida Symptoms

Co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD

Last Updated: September 22, 2024 References

Spina bifida is one of the most common birth defects in the U.S. affecting about 1 of every 2,858 babies born in the United States.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

Go to source} When the brain, spinal cord, or the protective covering of either – also called the meninges – does not develop properly, a neural tube defect forms and complications may arise.^{[2]
X
Research source} Currently the cause is unknown, but scientists believe many factors are involved. There are several ways to recognize spina bifida.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Checking for Spina Bifida in Babies, Children, and Adults

Download Article

1
Check for spinal area discoloration or birthmarks. The color change could be the spot of neural tube incompletion. There may also be a malformation on the spine.
- Keep in mind that many birth marks are normal and do not indicate a problem. Ask your doctor to check any birth marks that you have along your spine if you suspect a problem.
There may be a malformation of the bone, fat, or membranes over the spine. This is usually a sign of closed neural tube issues.

Advertisement
When the backbone doesn’t close the way it should, there is sometimes a tuft of hair at the opening. This can be undiagnosed until after birth, as with some other symptoms, because the ultrasound did not show the spine at the correct angle.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

Go to source}
4
Consider potential severe symptoms. In some cases of spina bifida, there may be some severe symptoms, such as lower body issues, which includes deformities as well as muscle weakness. These may include:
- Physical and intellectual disabilities. However, most people with spina bifida without hydrocephalus are of normal intelligence.
- Paralysis.
- Urinary and bowel control problems.
- Blindness and/or deafness (rarely).^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
5
Look for an exposed sac of fluid. The sac will be protruding from the spinal column area, which is either the meningocele (no spinal cord connection) or meningomyelocele (spinal cord connection) form of spina bifida. Sometimes there is a thin layer of skin covering the sac that protrudes from the back. Other associated symptoms follow:
- Partial or total paralysis may occur.
- Bladder and bowel problems are possible.
A condition called Chiari II malformation is possible, where a portion of the brain protrudes lower into the neck area or spinal canal. This causes various issues, which also includes some upper arm function.
7
Be aware of an abnormally large head. A buildup of fluid around the brain, also called hydrocephalus, may occur, creating harmful pressure on the surrounding area. The most common indications of hydrocephalus in babies is an increased head size, but babies can potentially have a litany of symptoms including seizures, drowsiness, grouchiness, lowered eyes, and nausea or vomiting.
- Babies might develop meningitis, an infection in the tissues surrounding the brain. Meningitis can cause brain injury and threaten the life of the baby.
- There may be learning disabilities such as short attention span, difficulties with language and reading, and problems with math.
8
Get a spinal column x-ray, MRI, or CT scan. Usually this is for spina bifida occulta (SBO), the mildest form of spina bifida, but it can confirm other types as well. The primary method of discovering forms of SBO that may cause problems is an x-ray that can detect a small gap or abnormality of the spine, or less often a spinal cord that is tethered, thickened, contains a fatty lump, is split in two, or connected to skin. This can also be detected using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scan. Most people with SBO don't have any problems. However, there may be some other associated symptoms with SBO, such as:
- Pain, numbness, or weakness in the back or legs
- Deformed legs, feet, back
- Change in bladder or bowel function

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Detecting Spina Bifida During Pregnancy

Download Article

1
Get the maternal serum alpha fetoprotein (MSAFP) test. During the second trimester (it’s not detectable in the first trimester), at roughly 16-18 weeks, spina bifida is typically detected via the MSAFP which measures something called alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Higher levels of AFP are a potential sign of an uncovered neural tube.
- Keep in mind that the MSAFP test is not 100% accurate, and further tests may be required.
If your AFP levels are high, then your doctor will probably want to do an ultrasound. An ultrasound can provide images of an unborn baby’s spine and spinal cord, which may enable the doctor to diagnose spina bifida.^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

Go to source}
During amniocentesis, the doctor extracts some amniotic sac fluid that protects the fetus. Using the fluid, the doctor can screen for high levels of AFP. The one downside to this test, however, is that it is not thorough enough to know the degree to which spina bifida has affected the baby.
Scans that are postnatal, after the baby is born, are often the only way milder forms of spina bifida are discovered. An x-ray, MRI, or CT scan examination can be performed. This option is used primarily when the spina bifida symptoms are not clearly visible.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Meningocele surgery for the two most severe forms of spina bifida, meningocele and myelomeningocele, may be necessary. To prevent infection, this procedure is necessary if the fluid sac is not covered by skin within two days after birth.^{[6]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Those who suffer with spina bifida might need crutches, braces, or wheelchairs.^{[7]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Do not smoke or drink alcohol during your pregnancy.^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Hispanic babies are at an increased risk for spina bifida.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
Some symptoms may not manifest until children get a little older. Potential symptoms that fall into this category are latex allergies, sleep disorders, depression, and future gastrointestinal problems.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0