Oh, it's normal to feel a little worried when we think about our little ones, wondering if everything is okay. Sometimes they don't even know about it, and we can't even see it from the outside. One of those things is Spina Bifida Occulta . Even though the name sounds like a big deal, don't worry, most of the time it's not that serious. Let's talk about this in a little more detail, shall we?
What is Spina Bifida Occulta?
Simply put, Spina Bifida Occulta is a congenital birth defect that occurs when the spine does not develop properly during the fetal stage, when the baby is still in the womb.
The word "occulta" means "hidden." This is why it is also called "hidden spina bifida." This is because the opening in the spine is covered by a thin layer of skin, so it is not visible to the outside world. This means that no difference is visible to the naked eye. This is the mildest and most common type of spina bifida.
Who is at higher risk of developing Spina Bifida Occulta?
This condition can affect anyone. However, some people are at a slightly higher risk of having a baby with Spina Bifida Occulta. Let's take a look at what it is:
- Folate deficiency in the mother during pregnancy: Folate is a type of vitamin B9. It is found in many foods, such as green vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. If a pregnant mother does not get enough of this folate or folic acid, she is at risk.
- Family history of spina bifida (genetic influence): If someone in your family has had this condition before, it means there may be a small genetic connection.
- Diabetes Mellitus or Obesity in the Pregnant Mother: If the mother has uncontrolled diabetes or is obese, it can also affect the fetus.
- The baby has other genetic conditions: Sometimes this risk may increase if the baby has other genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, or Patau's syndrome .
- Some medications the mother takes for conditions such as epilepsy: For example, if she is taking anti-epileptic medications such as valproate or carbamazepine , that can also have an effect.
If you are planning to get pregnant, it is very important to talk to a doctor about any medications you are currently taking and your family's genetic history.
How common is this condition?
Spina Bifida Occulta is the most common type of spina bifida. It is estimated that between 10% and 20% of the American population has this condition. This means that it is not as rare as you might think.
How does Spina Bifida Occulta affect my body?
This is the mildest form of spina bifida, so it doesn't have as many serious effects on the body as other severe forms. Symptoms that affect things like walking are rare, especially in early childhood. About 1 in 1000 people with spina bifida occulta develop symptoms . It usually happens during a growth spurt at a young age when the spinal cord is pulled . This can have a small impact on things like muscle strength and bowel and bladder control. However, even then, symptoms can be reduced with appropriate treatment.
What are the symptoms of Spina Bifida Occulta?
As mentioned earlier, this is a very mild form of Spina Bifida, so most of the time there are no symptoms . However, some babies with Spina Bifida Occulta may have a skin tag on their lower back when they are born. This may be:
- Like a small lump .
- A red or purple spot (hemangioma) .
- A dark birthmark .
- A dimple in the skin.
But these signs don't appear in every baby.
Very rarely, some symptoms may occur due to nerve damage (neurologic deficit). These include:
- Bowel and/or urinary problems (e.g. constipation, incontinence).
- Back pain .
- Weakness of the leg muscles .
- Scoliosis .
Can symptoms appear in adulthood?
Symptoms typically occur in about one in a thousand people, often during adolescence, when the spinal cord is stretched during a sudden growth spurt. Many children with spina bifida occulta do not have any symptoms. However, these rare symptoms may increase as the spinal cord continues to stretch during late adolescence or adulthood.
What are the causes of Spina Bifida Occulta?
The exact cause of Spina Bifida Occulta is still unknown , but research suggests that it may be caused by a combination of genetic, nutritional, and environmental factors. These include:
- Folate (vitamin B9) deficiency in the mother during pregnancy.
- Family history of this condition (genetic) .
- The pregnant mother has uncontrolled diabetes .
- Obesity in the pregnant mother.
- A response to medications such as valproate or carbamazepine, which are used to treat conditions such as epilepsy.
Therefore, if you are planning to become pregnant, it is important to talk to your doctor to understand the risk of your baby developing a condition like Spina Bifida Occulta. He/she can advise you on whether you need to add folate or folic acid to your diet, or whether any medications you are currently taking could pose a risk to your baby's health.
How is Spina Bifida Occulta diagnosed?
Spina Bifida is usually diagnosed during pregnancy with an ultrasound scan . However, because Spina Bifida Occulta is a very mild, "hidden" condition, it often goes undiagnosed or is only diagnosed in adulthood . This is because the condition rarely causes symptoms.
Spina Bifida Occulta is often diagnosed incidentally when an X-ray of the spine is performed for another accident or injury .
Spina Bifida Occulta is diagnosed through imaging tests such as an X-ray, MRI scan, or CT scan . These tests can provide a clear picture of the bones of the spine that did not form properly during the fetal stage.
How is Spina Bifida Occulta treated?
The good news is that most cases of Spina Bifida Occulta do not require any treatment .
However, in the rare cases where symptoms do occur, treatment aims to reduce the pressure on the spinal cord. Treatments may include:
- Surgery to close the gap between the vertebrae of the spine.
- Physical therapy or occupational therapy to improve muscle strength.
- Use of assistive devices such as a back brace, walker, or wheelchair.
- Giving medication for bowel or urinary problems.
What are the medications given for Spina Bifida Occulta?
If symptoms occur, medications such as these may be needed to treat them:
- Painkillers for back pain.
- For bowel problems such as constipation , laxatives, suppositories, and/or enemas are used .
- Antibiotics to prevent infections after surgery.
- Specific medications to relax the bladder and treat urinary problems.
How to reduce the risk of Spina Bifida Occulta?
Since the exact cause is unknown, there is no way to completely prevent this condition. However, if you are planning to become pregnant, you can take these steps to reduce the risk of having a baby with Spina Bifida Occulta:
- Taking Folic Acid: The US CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends taking 400 micrograms (400 mcg) of folic acid daily. This can reduce the risk of having a baby with Spina Bifida by about 75%!
- Talking to your doctor: Talk to your doctor about any medications, vitamins, and supplements you are currently taking. Some medications, especially those for epilepsy, can contribute to the development of spina bifida occulta.
- Managing pre-existing conditions: If you have pre-existing conditions like diabetes mellitus or obesity, work with your doctor to manage those conditions before becoming pregnant.
- Genetic testing: If someone in your family has had genetic conditions, talk to your doctor about genetic testing to understand your risk of having a child with a genetic condition.
What happens if I have Spina Bifida Occulta?
There is no cure for Spina Bifida Occulta. However, even if you have the condition, you may not even know it because the symptoms are so rare and mild. Spina Bifida Occulta affects everyone differently. If you have any discomfort or symptoms due to the compression of the spinal cord, treatment can help relieve them.
How do I take care of myself?
Every diagnosis of Spina Bifida Occulta is different. In most cases, it does not affect your daily life or work . If you develop symptoms, follow the treatment plan your doctor gives you.
When should I see a doctor?
See a doctor if you have symptoms of spina bifida occulta, especially those that affect your movement . If your symptoms are so severe that you are unable to do your daily activities, go to school, or work because of pain or incontinence, see a doctor for treatment.
What questions should I ask my doctor?
- Am I at risk of having another child with Spina Bifida Occulta?
- How can I stay healthy during my pregnancy?
- What are the risks of undergoing surgery to treat Spina Bifida Occulta?
- Are there any side effects to the treatments you recommended?
What is the difference between Spina Bifida Occulta and Spina Bifida Cystica?
Simply put, Spina Bifida Occulta is the mildest and most common type of Spina Bifida. Most people with this condition do not experience any visible symptoms or symptoms that affect movement.
Spina Bifida Cystica is a more serious form . It is characterized by a fluid-filled sac (cyst) protruding from the baby's lower back. This sac is a symptom of conditions called spina bifida meningocele and myelomeningocele.
Although children with Spina Bifida Occulta have a gap between the vertebrae in their spine, the resulting fluid-filled sac (cyst) is not visible on the outside of the spine.
Many cases of Spina Bifida Occulta are not diagnosed, and even if diagnosed, they do not require treatment because they are asymptomatic.
Finally, I have to say... (Take-Home Message)
So, you probably understand now that Spina Bifida Occulta is not something to be afraid of. Many people have it, but they don't even know it, and it doesn't cause any problems in their lives.
The most important thing is that every expectant mother should take enough folic acid before and during pregnancy . It is also very important to talk openly with your doctor about your health, the medications you are taking, and your family's health history. Then you will have a much better chance of giving birth to a healthy baby.
If you have any further questions about this, don't hesitate to ask your doctor. They are the ones who can give you the best advice.
` Spina bifida occulta, spine, birth defects, folic acid, pregnancy, back pain, hidden spina bifida
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