Which type of spina bifida is the most severe?

Myelomeningocele is recognized as the most severe form of spina bifida because it involves a defect where the spinal cord and nerves are exposed through an opening in the spine, leading to significant neurological impairment. In this condition, both the meninges (the protective coverings of the spinal cord) and the neural tissue protrude through the defect, potentially resulting in a range of disabilities including paralysis, loss of sensation, and bladder or bowel dysfunction.

This form of spina bifida can also lead to other serious complications such as hydrocephalus, which is a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, requiring further medical interventions. The degree of severity can greatly affect the individual's quality of life and necessitates comprehensive medical management from birth.

In contrast, types such as occulta, where there is a bony defect without protrusion of the spinal cord or nerves, and meningocele, which involves the protrusion of the meninges but not the spinal cord, are typically less severe and may not present significant neurological deficits. Encephalocele, while also serious, affects the brain rather than the spinal cord and is considered a separate condition, making myelomeningocele the most severe form among those listed that specifically pert