Spina Bifida Occulta is a group of conditions that affect the spinal column, which is made of small bones called vertebrae. Affecting 10 to 20 percent of people who are otherwise healthy, Spina Bifida Occulta is relatively common and may not cause any symptoms. However, several Spina Bifida Occulta conditions are serious and can result in long-term health effects if left untreated.
Definition
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Spina Bifida is a neural tube defect that is caused by failure of the spine to close during fetal development. Spina Bifida Occulta is the mildest form of the condition and involves the malformation of one or more vertebrae in the spinal column. This malformation is covered by a layer of skin and does not protrude from an opening in the spine like more serious forms of Spina Bifida.
Causes
There is no specific cause for Spina Bifida Occulta. According to the Australian Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association, parents develop an increased risk of having a child with this type of birth defect due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors. The risk of a child being born with Spina Bifida Occulta increases if there is a history of neural tube defects in immediate family members.
Signs and Symptoms
According to the Spina Bifida Association of America, the symptoms of Spina Bifida Occulta include pain and weakness in the back or legs, numbness in the legs or back, deformities of the legs and feet, and loss of normal bowel or bladder function. Skin defects associated with Spina Bifida Occulta include fatty lumps, hairy patches, purplish spots, deep dimples and areas of decreased skin color above the location of the spinal deformity.
Diagnosis
Amniocentesis, ultrasound and an alpha-fetoprotein blood test can be used to diagnose Spina Bifida Occulta. Amniocentesis involves inserting a needle into the uterus to collect fluid that can be tested to determine the presence of birth defects. The spinal abnormality of Spina Bifida Occulta may be visible on an ultrasound, which is a noninvasive exam that uses sound waves to produce pictures of the internal structures of the body. The alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test is a blood test that is done to determine if a fetus has produced too much alpha-fetoprotein and passed it into the mother's bloodstream.
Treatment
Many children with Spina Bifida Occulta do not require treatment. For more serious cases of the condition, treatment focuses on correcting the physical effects of the Spina Bifida. Deformities of the legs, feet and back may be corrected with braces or surgery. If the patient has hydrocephalus, which is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the ventricles of the brain, a thin tube may be placed to drain the fluid and relieve pressure on the brain.
Prognosis
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke acknowledges that the prognosis for patients with Spina Bifida Occulta is poor if those patients are paralyzed or have other birth defects. However, most children born with Spina Bifida Occulta will live well into their adult years if they receive proper care for their condition.
