What are the types of spina bifida in newborns?

Normally, since the organs of newborns are not yet fully developed, a little carelessness can cause fractures or illnesses in newborns. Neonatal spina bifida is also a common disease among newborns. Therefore, parents should also pay attention to learn more about the common sense of neonatal spina bifida. So, what are the types of neonatal spina bifida?

Spina bifida occulta is the most common and mildest form of the disease. Babies with spina bifida occulta have a small gap between their vertebrae. Occult spina bifida only causes spina bifida, but no bulging of the contents of the spinal canal. Therefore, most people with occult spina bifida have no symptoms. However, there may be various pathological changes in the spinal canal at the site of spina bifida, such as scars, adhesions, and tethering. Combined with lipomas, the spinal cord and nerve roots may be compressed or pulled, leading to a series of neurological symptoms.

Myelomeningocele is the most serious type of spina bifida. A cyst covered by skin is usually seen on the patient's back. This cyst contains tissue and nerves. The person's spinal cord is damaged or underdeveloped. Depending on where the cyst is located, people with this type of spina bifida often have some nerve damage or paralysis. They may be unable to walk or have urinary incontinence.

Most babies with this type of spina bifida also have hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus occurs when fluid surrounding the brain is unable to drain through the blood vessels. Parts of the brain are damaged before the baby is born, which prevents fluid from draining properly. As pressure increases, the brain is put under more pressure.

Meningocele is less serious than myelomeningocele and is the rarest form of spina bifida. In this case, the membrane contained within the cyst is prone to rupture.

From the above, we can see that clinically, neonatal spina bifida is divided into three types according to the condition of the disease, and myelomeningocele, meningocele and spina bifida occulta are the three types of neonatal spina bifida. Generally speaking, myelomeningocele is the most serious of all neonatal spina bifida types.