Occulta = Latin: “hidden.” (Unlike in “open” spina bifida,
the defect in spina bifida occulta is not visible
.) Spina bifida occulta is a malformation of one or more vertebrae (bones of the spine). It is sometimes called “closed” spina bifida. In most cases, spina bifida occulta causes no problems.
Is spina bifida occulta considered a disability?
If your family has limited income and resources, your child with spina bifida will likely qualify for SSI disability benefits. Spina bifida is a disease that affects children and can be
very disabling
. If your child has spina bifida, he or she may qualify for SSI disability benefits by applying through Social Security.
Can spina bifida occulta cause problems later in life?
This is a mild type of spina bifida. It may also go by the term “hidden” spina bifida.
It does not cause any disabilities
and may go unnoticed until later in life.
What is a spina bifida occulta?
Spina bifida occulta is
the mildest type of spina bifida
. It is sometimes called “hidden” spina bifida. With it, there is a small gap in the spine, but no opening or sac on the back. The spinal cord and the nerves usually are normal. Many times, spina bifida occulta is not discovered until late childhood or adulthood.
What are the 4 types of spina bifida?
There are four types of spina bifida:
occulta, closed neural tube defects, meningocele, and myelomeningocele
. The symptoms of spina bifida vary from person to person, depending on the type and level of involvement.
Is spina bifida a permanent disability?
According to the Spina Bifida Association ,
Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect in the United States
.
Can spina bifida occulta cause back pain?
Spina bifida occulta in most cases is asymptomatic, but symptoms among the population may include
back pain
, enuresis, motor or sensory dysfunction, and posterior disc herniation. Fusion of vertebral lamina forms the spinous process, and this process serves as attachment sites for many extensor muscles.
Does spina bifida occulta affect the brain?
Many babies will have or develop hydrocephalus (a build-up of fluid on the brain), which can further damage the brain. Most people with spina bifida have
normal intelligence
, but some have learning difficulties. Read more about the symptoms of spina bifida.
Can spina bifida be corrected?
Currently,
there is no cure for spina bifida
, but there are a number of treatments available to help manage the disease and prevent complications. In some cases, if diagnosed before birth, the baby can undergo surgery while still in the womb in an effort to repair or minimize the spinal defect.
Can you live a long life with spina bifida?
According to the Spina Bifida Association website, with some guidance,
children with Spina Bifida can lead full lives
. “Most do well in school, and many play in sports.
How long do spina bifida patients live?
Not so long ago, spina bifida was considered a pediatric illness, and patients would simply continue to see their pediatric physicians into adulthood. The average life span for an individual with the condition was
30 to 40 years
, with renal failure as the most typical cause of death.
Can you get an epidural if you have spina bifida occulta?
5. Spina Bifida. There are many reports of successful spinal and epidural anesthesia in patients with spina bifida occulta and cystica.
What is the lifespan of someone with spina bifida?
The prognosis for survival was strikingly poor in those with the most extensive neurological deficit. Only 17% (7/42) of those born with a high sensory level (above T11) survived
to the mean age of 40 years
, compared with 61% (23/38) of those with a low sensory level (below L3; p=0.001).
Does spina bifida get worse with age?
Spina Bifida in Adults
Adults who have spina bifida face different problems than do children, including: Normal aging process including loss of muscle strength and flexibility, less physical stamina, and a decrease in sensory abilities tend to
decline faster or more sever
for adults with SB.
Is spina bifida more common in males or females?
In most populations, spina bifida occurs
more often among females than males
(19).
Can someone with spina bifida have a baby?
Most people with spina bifida are fertile, and
can have children
.
