Symptoms and Signs
Many children with spina bifida may be asymptomatic. Myelomeningocele is the most severe form of spina bifida (it belongs to the form called spina bifida cystica). It may present as a sac sticking out of the mid to lower back.
Chief symptoms include:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Partial or complete lack of sensation
- Partial or complete paralysis of the legs
- Weakness of the hips, legs, or feet of a newborn
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Other clinical features are:
- Abnormal feet or legs, such as clubfoot
- Build-up of fluid inside the skull (hydrocephalus)
- Hair at the back part of the pelvis called the sacral area
- Dimpling of the sacral area
