Is Meningomyelocele and myelomeningocele the same?

Meningomyelocele, also commonly known as myelomeningocele, is a type of spina bifida. Spina bifida is a birth defect in which the spinal canal and the backbone don’t close before the baby is born. This type of birth defect is also called a neural tube defect.

What is spina bifida Cystica and how does this relate to myelomeningocele?

Spina bifida cystica causes a problem when the meningeal cyst (meningocele) includes cord tissue extending into the cyst (in which case, it is a myelomeningocele). The condition is also of particular concern when the neural tube is completely open and the ependymal layer is exposed as a myelocele (or myeloschisis).

Who is most at risk for spina bifida?

Which children are at risk for spina bifida?

  • Mother’s age. Spina bifida is more common in teen mothers.
  • History of miscarriage. A woman who has had miscarriages in the past has a higher risk of having a baby with neural tube defects.
  • Birth order. First-born babies are at higher risk.
  • Socioeconomic status.

What is the most serious form of spina bifida?

Myelomeningocele: This is the most serious type of spina bifida. When parts of the spinal cord and nerves come through the open part of the spine, it causes myelomeningocele. Myelomeningocele also causes nerve damage and other disabilities.

Does spina bifida ever go unnoticed?

Severe cases of spina bifida are characterized by a sac filled with fluid that protrudes from the back of the spine, and can be easily detected. Less severe forms of spina bifida-those that generally do not require treatment-are noted by a birthmark or tuft of hair on the spine. If spina bifida is very mild, however, it may never cause symptoms and may go unnoticed and undiagnosed.

What is a mild form of spina bifida?

Spina Bifida Occulta is a mild form of Spina Bifida, which may have no symptoms, other than sometimes a patch of hair or a dimple in the location of the defect.

Is spina bifida a congenital defect?

Spina bifida (cleft spine) is a congenital birth defect (malformation) that occurs when the baby spine (backbone) forms abnormally. In the United States, spina bifida is the most common congenital embryonic neuro-tube defect involving approximately 2000 newborns every year.