“Our Neurosurgery service has a staff of professionals with extensive experience in the care of this type of congenital conditions. Among the tests that help us in the diagnosis of cases of hidden spina bifida are: ultrasound, spinal radiography and spinal magnetic resonance imaging. According to the case study, the need to perform a surgical intervention will be evaluated ”, says Dr. Rolando Lovatón, neurosurgeon at our clinic.

What is spina bifida occulta?

It is a birth defect characterized by an incomplete development of the lower part of the spine during pregnancy.

What are the risk factors for its manifestation?

Some risk factors that researchers and specialists have been able to identify are:

Mother´s age, history of abortion, socioeconomic status (low economic resources can prevent the mother from receiving adequate preventive care), family history of spina bifida, diabetic mother.

What are its symptoms?

• Signs can be seen in the skin of the lumbar and sacral region of the newborn, in the form of a skin patch covered with hair, a dimple or a red birthmark at the base of the baby’s spine.
• In certain cases, there is no trait or symptom. People come to find out they have this condition through imaging tests performed for other reasons.

What complications can it cause?

The child may have problems with the movement of the legs, as well as urinary or fecal incontinence.

Dr. Rolando Lovatón
Neurosurgeon at Clínica Ricardo Palma