Types of Spina Bifida (Continued)

3. Myelomeningocele (also known as Meningomyelocele)

Myelomeningocele is the most serious and more common of the two forms of cystic Spina Bifida. Here the cyst not only contains tissue and cerebro-spinal fluid but also nerves and part of the spinal cord. The spinal cord is damaged or not properly developed. As a result, there is always some paralysis and loss of sensation below the  damaged region. The amount of disability depends very much on where the Spina Bifida is and the amount of nerve damage involved. Many people with this condition have bowel and bladder problems because of damage to the nerves going to the bowel or bladder from the bottom end of the spinal cord.

Hydrocephalus

Most babies born with with Spina Bifida also have Hydrocephalus (from the Greek hydro=water and cephalie=brain). This is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid which arises from an inbalance in the production and drainage of fluid.

A separate fact sheet is available on this condition in the library.

Other forms of Neural Tube Defects

Encephalocele

This is a sac which is formed when the bones of the skull fail to develop. It may contain cerebrospinal fluid only.  However, part of the brain may also be present in the sac, resulting in brain damage.

This is where the brain does not develop properly or is absent, and the baby is either stillborn or dies shortly after birth.