Spina Bifida Cost in India

Spina bifida is a congenital disability when the spine and spinal cord don't form properly. This is a kind of birth defect that affects the neural tube. The neural tube is a structure in an unborn baby that develops into the brain, spinal cord, and surrounding tissues.

When the neural tube doesn't close all the way, the backbone protecting the spinal cord does not form and close as it should. This often results in damage to the nerves and the spinal cord.

The two main spina bifida treatment options are fetal surgery during pregnancy or surgery on the baby right after birth.

Spina Bifida surgery after birth (Postnatal Spina Bifida Repair)  

During postnatal spina bifida surgery, your pregnancy is monitored, and a cesarean delivery is scheduled at 37 weeks.

• Usually, spina bifida is treated through a surgical procedure within 24-48 hours after the baby is born
• Your child will undergo general anesthesia
• If present, the myelomeningocele (MMC) sac is removed by the Pediatric Neurosurgeon 
• To protect the spinal cord, the specialist closes the surrounding tissue and skin over the defect
• Post-surgery, the baby receives care in our Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit (N/IICU)

Spina Bifida surgery before birth (Prenatal Spina Bifida Repair)  

Prenatal repair of MMC prevents further damage as spinal cord damage progresses during gestation.

A prenatal repair could offer significantly better results than traditional postnatal repair:

• It helps decrease the necessity of draining fluid from the brain through ventricular shunting
• It reduces the incidence/severity of neurological effects, including impaired motor and sensory function of the legs
• It improves mobility and the chances that a child will be able to walk independently 
• It reverses the hindbrain herniation component of the Arnold-Chiari II malformation