Spina Bifida, Rachischisis

Spinal cleft (Spina Bifida), Rachischisis (Rachischisis) is a defect of intrauterine development in which in a newborn child part of the spinal cord and its membranes gapes through a gap in the spine. The main symptoms of this defect are: paralysis of the lower extremities, urinary incontinence and mental retardation, caused by a usually occurring defect in the development of the brain - hydrocephalus. In the case of a fetus with spina bifida, this defect is usually accompanied by a significant increase in the level of alpha-fetoprotein in the amniotic fluid surrounding the embryo in the womb. This defect can be diagnosed starting from the 16th week of pregnancy using a mother's blood test; it is confirmed by amniocentesis and ultrasound examination of the fetus, which makes early termination of pregnancy possible. It has recently been suggested that the risk of developing spina bifida can be significantly reduced by including large amounts of folic acid in pregnant women's diets. See also Neural tube developmental defects.

Rachischisis (from the ancient Greek rachi (“ribs”) and cheisys (“crumbled”); also microdysplasia) is a congenital pathology of the thoracic spine with a violation of the integrity (stratification) of solid bodies with the formation of a wedge-shaped elongated, cup-shaped expanding and moving apart when fixed and aging of the spinal body. Refers to developmental anomalies of the central skeleton, one of the forms of which is spina bifida. The predominant distance between the apexes of the bones is 4-6 cm. Can be single or combined with scoliotis

Spina bifida and Rachischiisis are defects of intrauterine reproduction that can lead to serious illness in newborns. A spina bifida and a hole in the spinal canal can lead to paralysis of the lower limbs and urinary disorders, which can even lead to mental retardation.

The most common cause of these defects is a defect in brain development during embryogenesis. Fetuses with spina bifida often have hydrocephalus, which can lead to elevated alpha-ho levels