General Description:

-The outer portion of a vertebra or multiple vertebrae do not fully close, but the spinal canal is closed and intact, and the malformed vertebra(ae) are covered by normal layer of fat and skin.

-The spinal cord and meninges remain inside the spinal canal and are undamaged.

-Often there is a dimple or hair located at the site of the malformed vertebra(ae).

-Occulta is the least serious, and also least frequent, form of spina bifida, and often individuals with spina bifida occulta will never even realize they have it unless being examined for another back problem.

Causes and Prevalence:

-Hereditary and genetic links along with devlopmental factors, such as diet and environmental toxins, are thought of as the most dominant causes, though the exact cause is unknown.

-Spina bifida is known to occur as a part of some hereditary syndromes and also as a result of chromosomal disorders; exposure to agents that cause developmental defects, such as valproic acid, aminopterin, and thalidomide can cause spina bifida. Spina bifida occulta does run in families..

-Internal environmental factors, such as folic acid level, as well as external environmental factors, such as various toxins, are known to contribute to spina bifidas, including occulta.

-It is known that the factors causing spina bifida act on the fetus between the 16th and 16th day of development, following fertilization.

-Spina bifida is the most common CNS disorder.

-Approximately 15% of spina bifida diagnoses are spina bifida occulta, though it is believed that there is a potentially high occurrence of spina bifida occulta, which goes undiagnosed.

-If a direct blood relative has spina bifida occulta, the chances of passing it on are 1:25.

Symptoms, Tests, Treatment, and Prevention:

-Along with the acutal spina bifida lesion, several other problems can occur with the onset; this is called occult spinal dysraphism (OSD).

-OSD can have multiple symptoms and afflictions including: bowel and bladder dysfunction, tethered spinal cord, some forms of muscle and limb impairment under the site the occulta, and back pain.

-It is also known that a large portion of those with spina bifida also possess a latex allergy; although, it not known whether this is inherent or developed from large amount of exposure to latex in surgeries and examinations..

-Spina bifida is extremley difficult to detect before birth, and often fairly difficult to diagnose after birth, hence a large number of spina bifida occulta cases are believed to go unnoticed.

-Several options are availible for spina bifida, depending on the severity: for severe malformation the pregnancy can be terminated, corrective surgery can be employed immediately following birth, to a limited extent intrauterine surgery is employed, and expectant management of the spina bifida without correction is also a viable option.

-General practice is to avoid treating spina bifida occulta if there are no apparent detriments, if none exist as a child generally none exist as an adult, either.

-Depending on the level of severity of OSD, corrective surgery is performed to improve function.

-Standard prevention for spina bifida occultais the same dietary and lifestyle suggestions as other NTDs, particularly a presecribed amount of folic acid taken daily.