Meningocele

Meningocele (pronounced “men-IN-go-seel”) is a condition where the protective layers around your baby’s spinal cord (meninges) stick out through a gap in their spine. It forms a bulge or a sac on their back. This occurs if the lower end of the neural tube doesn’t develop as expected during fetal development.

The lower spine is the most common spot for a bulge or sac to form. The sac is filled with fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF normally cushions and protects your child’s brain and spinal cord.

Healthcare providers treat it with surgery within days after your baby is born. It rarely causes long-term or serious medical issues.

This condition is the least common type of spina bifida.

Types of meningocele

There are two types:

• Open: There isn’t skin covering the sac that sticks out of the opening in your child’s spine.
• Closed: Skin covers the sac that sticks out of your child’s spine.

Signs and symptoms of meningocele

The most noticeable sign is a fluid-filled lump (sac) on your baby’s back.

Symptoms aren’t common with this condition, but they may include:

• Back pain
• Changes to the sound of their cry
• Coughing
• Fluttering heartbeat
• Muscle weakness
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Trouble swallowing

Meningocele causes

Like other types of spina bifida, this condition is a neural tube defect. The neural tube is an embryonic structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord. In meningocele, the spinal cord itself develops as expected. But the bones of the spine (vertebrae) don’t close completely. This leaves a gap in the spinal column.

The meninges (the protective membranes covering the spinal cord) push out through this gap, forming a fluid-filled sac. This sac contains the cerebrospinal fluid. As a result, the sac sticks out from your child’s back.

Risk factors

Research suggests that women with certain chronic conditions, like diabetes, or who take certain antiseizure medications, may have an increased risk of having a fetus with meningocele if they’re pregnant.

If you plan on expanding your family, talk to your providers to learn more about these risk factors and ways to have a healthy pregnancy.

Complications of meningocele

Complications may include:

• Increased intracranial pressure
• Infection
• Paralysis
• Problems with bowel and bladder control
• Tethered spinal cord

How doctors diagnose meningocele

Healthcare providers may see signs of this condition while doing routine prenatal blood and urine tests. But usually, they’ll diagnose it after your baby is born. Providers typically take imaging tests to confirm a diagnosis. These noninvasive tests may include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• Ultrasound

If providers detect this condition in the fetus, they may recommend a C-section (cesarean birth). This prevents damage to the sac around the spinal cord during delivery.

Meningocele treatment

Surgery to remove the fluid-filled sac often cures the condition. In meningocele repair, your child’s surgical team will:

1. Give your child general anesthesia. They’ll be asleep and won’t feel any pain.
2. Make an incision (cut) into the sac on your baby’s spine.
3. Drain the sac that pushed through your baby’s spine.
4. Place the meninges on your baby’s exposed spinal cord.
5. Close the incision.

If your child has an open type without skin around the sac, surgery may happen within 24 to 48 hours after birth. For the closed type, surgery may happen within 72 hours.

After the procedure, your newborn may need to spend up to two weeks in the hospital.

What are the complications of meningocele repair?

While this procedure is generally safe, it does come with some risks. These may include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Reaction to anesthesia

Your child’s surgical team will take extra precautions to prevent complications and make sure your child is safe.

When should my child see their healthcare provider?

After surgery, your child’s surgeon will schedule regular visits to make sure they’re healing as expected. These visits will be in addition to seeing their pediatrician for regular check-ups to monitor their wellness and growth. If you have any questions about your child’s healing or development, reach out to their care team.

What can I expect if my baby is born with meningocele?

Your newborn’s healthcare providers will treat this condition quickly to prevent complications. Repairs usually have a successful outcome. You can expect to bring your child home from the hospital within a couple of weeks after they’ve healed from surgery. Stay up to date on their check-ups as they grow to make sure they don’t have any lingering issues (these are rare).