What is the main cause of spina bifida? What are the 3 types of spina bifida?

The major cause of spina bifida is yet to be discovered.

However, “genetic, nutritional and environmental risk factors, such as a family history of neural tube defects and folate (vitamin B-9) deficiency”, are considered to be some causes of Spina bifida.

What are the 3 types of spina bifida?

The three major types of Spina bifida are spina bifida occulta, meningocele and myelomeningocele.

What Is Spina Bifida?

Spina bifida, commonly known as split spine, is a birth condition in which the spinal cord and the spine are open during early pregnancy development.

Normally, the middle back or neck are not usually affected, like the lower back area.

However, it is believed that both hereditary and environmental factors can cause spina bifida.

Also, there is a probability that after a child is born with this defect, the subsequent child will likewise be impacted.

Eating foods low in folate (vitamin B9) both before and during pregnancy, as well as anti-seizure drugs, obesity, and poorly managed diabetes, can cause Spina bifida.

Spina bifida risk increases before birth if an amniocentesis or blood test reveals a high amount of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and on the contrary, medical imaging can confirm the diagnosis after birth.

If the mother consumes adequate folate before and during pregnancy, spina bifida can be avoided.