There are no symptoms that indicate a pregnant woman has a fetus
with Reference spina bifida Opens New Window. The appearance and
symptoms of a child who is born with spina bifida depend on how
severe the condition is. - If the spina bifida is mild, there
may be no physical sign of the condition. In some cases a
birthmark, dimple, or hairy patch may form over the defect.
There are rarely any other signs. - In severe cases, there
usually is a fluid-filled swelling on the baby's spine. In the
most severe cases (Reference myelomeningocele Opens New Window
Reference Opens New Window), tissues and nerves from the spinal
cord are exposed on the child's back. Children with severe spina
bifida often have parts of the brain and upper spinal cord that
are not formed normally. It is also common for these children to
have fluid on the brain (Reference hydrocephalus Opens New
Window). Related problems can cause: - Trouble swallowing, which
can lead to choking. - Breath-holding and problems breathing
during sleep. - Learni