Spina Bifida Treatment

A diagnosis of spina bifida is often made during pregnancy following an ultrasound examination as part of first-trimester screening.

In the open form (spina bifida aperta), the vertebral arch is split. The spinal meninges or parts of the spinal cord bulge outward. Spina bifida is visible immediately after birth. The closed form (spina bifida occulta) is often discovered by chance and may (initially) be asymptomatic. Although the vertebral arch is split, the meninges or spinal cord are generally not affected.

Symptoms

The symptoms associated with spina bifida can vary widely. Whether and to what extent the malformation affects the baby depends on its location and severity;

• Occurrence in the thoracic or lumbar spine
• Protrusion of portions of the spinal cord and
• Nerves on the outside.

Fetal Surgery

The University Hospital of Zurich is one of the few hospitals in Europe where it is possible to surgically close spina bifida aperta before birth. This so-called fetal surgery is performed by an interdisciplinary team consisting of surgeons from the University Children’s Hospital as well as colleagues from the departments of obstetrics and anesthesiology. For more information, please visit the Spina Bifida Center (SBZ) website.

Follow-up Care for Spina Bifida

Newborns whose spina bifida was repaired before birth are monitored at our hospital after delivery. As a rule, patients are transferred to the University Children’s Hospital after a few days, where final examinations are conducted before they are discharged home.