This birth defect in the spine and spinal cord happens early in pregnancy. The bones of the spine don't fully form around the spinal cord. This creates a gap where nerves push out from the spine. In severe cases, a sac holding part of the spinal cord comes out of the skin of the back. In milder cases the skin over the back is intact but the nerves and bone may be abnormal and might require MRI imaging to classify the type. Spina bifida involves a spectrum of problems:
Meningomyelocele
Meningocele
Encephalocele
Tethered cord
Lipomeningocele
Split cord malformations
Diastometamyelia
Symptoms
Obvious swelling in the lower back
Tuft of hair in the lower back
Back and leg pain
Treatment
Close observation
Surgical repair and closure of defect
Dethering
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