1. What part of the spina bifida is the lesion? Is it a deformity of the spine? The spine is a segmental bone structure that can be reached in the midline of our back. Inside the spine is a hollow spinal canal that connects from the head and neck to the sacrococcygeal area, which houses the spinal cord and nerves. On the dorsal side of the spine, from superficial to deep, are the skin, subcutaneous tissue, muscles and ligaments. Spina bifida, as the name implies, is an incomplete structure of the spinal canal where the spine normally forms. Spina bifida is an old term that came into existence in relation to the level of awareness of the disease at the time. Nowadays, spina bifida is usually an umbrella term for a range of deformities including cutaneous, subcutaneous, and spinal bone structures as well as the spinal cord and nerves. And, more importantly, abnormalities of the spinal cord and nerves, because abnormalities of the skin, subcutaneous and bony structures usually do not necessarily affect a person’s function, while abnormalities of the spinal cord and nerves can affect the movement of the limbs, sensation, and bowel and urinary function. 2. Is there a high incidence of spina bifida? Do patients present at birth? The incidence of spina bifida, in the broad sense, is not low, with some reports reaching 5% of the normal population, but the vast majority of people do not have spinal cord and nerve abnormalities and have no adverse effects throughout their lives, while a few have spinal cord and nerve abnormalities and develop corresponding symptoms. China is a region with a high prevalence of the disease, with Shanxi Province having the highest incidence. In general, the incidence is lower in urban areas than in rural areas, and lower in the south than in the north. Spina bifida as a malformation is usually present at birth, but not necessarily at birth; only severe spina bifida will have obvious symptoms at birth, such as paralysis of the lower limbs. Symptoms can appear at all ages after birth, but are more common before the age of 20. 3. Is the occurrence of the disease related to genetic factors? The cause of spina bifida is still unknown, but it is generally believed that the occurrence of spina bifida is the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors, as shown by the fact that children of parents with spina bifida have a higher chance of having spina bifida than children of normal parents; those born with siblings who have spina bifida have a higher chance of having the disease than normal. 4. Is the occurrence of this disease related to the mother’s exposure to radiation and chemicals during pregnancy? Can improper use of medication during pregnancy have an effect? It is not clear whether the occurrence of the disease is related to maternal exposure to specific radiation or chemicals during pregnancy, but it is known that the use of certain drugs may increase the risk of neurological malformations (note that the instructions for the drug are referred to). This effect is usually limited to preconception and early pregnancy use, as the fetal nervous system is largely formed after the third trimester. 5. Does inadequate folic acid supplementation during pregnancy lead to an increased probability of the disease? Regular folic acid supplementation from 3 months before to 3 months after pregnancy is known to reduce the incidence of spina bifida by 70-80%, so inadequate folic acid supplementation increases the incidence. 6. What are the effects of spina bifida on the patient? Will it lead to paralysis? Is it life-threatening? The most common effects of spina bifida on patients are motor and sensory dysfunction of the lower extremities, as well as bowel and urinary dysfunction. These usually reduce the quality of life and can lead to paralysis in severe cases. When urinary dysfunction leads to hydronephrosis, and then progresses further to uremia, it can be life-threatening for the patient. 7. Will spina bifida affect my child’s height? Usually, spina bifida does not affect a child’s height, but it can significantly affect height in some special cases, such as when it is accompanied by scoliosis. The abnormal development of the spinal bones associated with spina bifida and the damage to the spinal nerves caused by spina bifida can lead to scoliosis.