Developmental disorders

II./4.2.: Symptoms

Spina bifida occulta can be asymptomatic. In other cases a routine x-ray done for simple low back pain may prove the otherwise asymptomatic vertebral closure defect. Sometimes, abnormalities can occur over the affected region of the spine, manifesting in skin discoloration, abnormal skin growth or fistulas, (dermal sinus). Another symptom is enhanced hair growth at the sacral area (hypertrichosis). A much more complex case is, when there is a subcutaneous lipoma in the lumbosacral region forming a large tactile growth of fat cells in a thin, fibrous capsule just below the skin. Typically, the lipoma in the spinal canal persists, creating a complex neural tube defect, called lipo-myelomeningocele.

The severity of symptoms depends on the degree of dysplasia, and the duration as well. In case of myelomeningocele incontinence and paraplegia are often experienced right after birth. The severity of the symptoms can spread from being asymptomatic, to full functional deficit of the entire lumbosacral spinal cord section with paraplegia, serious development abnormality of the lower extremities, or fecal and urinary incontinence. In several cases of myelomeningocele, cerebrospinal fluid circulation can be impaired, causing hydrocephalus that also requires neurosurgical treatment.