Spina bifida is one of the most common congenital birth defects, affecting one in every 1000 live births globally according to revelations by Dr Michael Muhumuza, the Acting Head of the Neurosurgical Unit at Mulago Hospital.

This condition is common in low income countries due to their limited or lack of consumption of foods with folic acid by pregnant women.

The spina bifida is caused by a fault in the development of the central nervous system in the first 25 days of a pregnancy.

The spinal cord and vertebrae do not form completely and the neural tube fails to develop normally. Because of these defects, people born with spina bifida usually have some degree of paralysis which affects their mobility as well as their bowel and bladder control.

Infants born with spina bifida -need surgical closure of the spine, and rehabilitation services of physiotherapists, continence nurses, and occupational therapists to manage the effects of the paralysis such as difficulties in walking and incontinence. Spina bifida is a birth defect that occurs when the bones of the spine (vertebrae) do not form properly around part of the baby’s spinal cord. It can be like a sac of water at any point on the back of the baby or an open sore. In severe cases, it can make walking or daily activities hard to do without help. Many people with it depend on assistive devices such as wheel chairs, walking sticks and calipers.

ENDS