Congenital Abnormality
spina bifida
spi·na bif·i·da [ bif-i-duh ]
Subclass of:
Neural Tube Defects
Also called:
Cleft spine; Open spine
Definitions related to spina bifida:
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A congenital defect in which part of the spinal column fails to develop completely, leaving part of the spinal cord exposed.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
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A congenital neural tube defect in which vertebrae are not fully formed. It results in the protrusion of the spinal cord through the opening of the vertebrae.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A family of defects in the closure of the spinal column. May be covered with skin (spina bifida occulta) or not covered with skin (spinabifida aperta); may involve protrusion of spinal cord and/or meninges. (Makris S, Solomon HM, Clark R, Shiota K, Barbellion S, Buschmann J, Ema M, Fujiwara M, Grote K, Hazelden KP, Hew KW, Horimoto M, Ooshima Y, Parkinson M, Wise LD. Terminology of developmental abnormalities in common laboratory mammals (Version 2). Part B. Birth Defects Res B Dev Reprod Toxicol. 2009 Aug;86(4):227-327.)CDISC TerminologyClinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC), 2021
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Developmental anomaly characterized by defective closure of the bony encasement of the spinal cord, through which the cord and meninges may protrude.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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Incomplete closure of the embryonic neural tube, whereby some vertebral arches remain unfused and open. The mildest form is spina bifida occulta, followed by meningocele and meningomyelocele.Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2021
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Spina bifida is a neural tube defect - a type of birth defect of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. It happens if the spinal column of the fetus doesn't close completely during the first month of pregnancy. This can damage the nerves and spinal cord. Screening tests during pregnancy can check for spina bifida. Sometimes it is discovered only after the baby is born. The symptoms of spina bifida vary from person to person. Most people with spina bifida are of normal intelligence. Some people need assistive devices such as braces, crutches, or wheelchairs. They may have learning difficulties, urinary and bowel problems, or hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the brain. The exact cause of spina bifida is unknown. It seems to run in families. Taking folic acid can reduce the risk of having a baby with spina bifida. It's in most multivitamins. Women who could become pregnant should take it daily. NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeMedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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(spinal dysraphism) A heterogeneous group of congenital spinal anomalies that result from defective closure of the neural tube early in fetal life.Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2021
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(spinal dysraphism) Congenital defects of closure of one or more vertebral arches, which may be associated with malformations of the spinal cord, nerve roots, congenital fibrous bands, lipomas, and congenital cysts. These malformations range from mild (e.g., SPINA BIFIDA OCCULTA) to severe, including rachischisis where there is complete failure of neural tube and spinal cord fusion, resulting in exposure of the spinal cord at the surface. Spinal dysraphism includes all forms of spina bifida. The open form is called SPINA BIFIDA CYSTICA and the closed form is SPINA BIFIDA OCCULTA. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1992, Ch55, p34)NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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(isolated spina bifida) A group of rare neural tube defect disorders characterized by improper closure of the spinal column during embryonal development, not associated with other major congenital malformations nor 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.OrphaNetINSERM, 2021
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Spina bifida is defective closure of the vertebral column. Although the cause is not known, low folate levels during pregnancy increase risk. Some children are asymptomatic, and others have severe neurologic dysfunction below the lesion. Open spina bifida can be diagnosed prenatally by ultrasonography or suggested by elevated...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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Spina bifida is a treatable spinal cord malformation that occurs in varying degrees of severity. Classified as a defect of the neural tube (ie, the embryonic structure that develops into the spinal cord and brain), it was recognized as long as 4000 years ago.WebMD, 2019
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Spina bifida can occur in different types: spina bifida occulta, myelomeningocele (my-uh-lo-muh-NING-go-seel) or the very rare type meningocele (muh-NING-go-seel).Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect in which the neural tube (the structure in an embryo that becomes the brain and spinal cord) does not completely close during development in the womb. This may result in part of the spinal cord sticking out through an opening in the spine, leading to permanent nerve damage. Babies born with...National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
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