5. Spinal cord deformity
One of the chief signs of spina bifida is deformities that are located along the spinal column. Babies who suffer from neural tube defects, specifically spina bifida, have bones along the back that don’t fully develop. The causes some of the nerves, tissues, and parts of the spinal cord itself to remain exposed. In some instances, tissues or nerves will be forced out of an incomplete backbone.
A sac forms around these protrusions that stick out visually from the back of the fetus. These deformities can form anywhere on the spine though they are most often found on the lower part of the back. When these deformities occur as a result of spina bifida, the patient will often have a loss of sensation in the lower extremities.
It can also lead to paralysis, bladder and bowel incontinence, and other deformities. More serious cases may even develop into scoliosis of the spine.