Which condition is a structural malformation of the spine due to incomplete closure during early pregnancy?

Which condition is a structural malformation of the spine due to incomplete closure during early pregnancy?

• A. Talipes
• B. Cleft Palate
• C. Spina Bifida
• D. Down Syndrome

Answer: (C)

Spina bifida happens when the spine’s walls don’t close completely during early embryonic development. During the first weeks of pregnancy, the neural tube and the surrounding vertebral arches are supposed to fuse to protect the spinal cord. If closure is incomplete, it creates a structural malformation of the spine, with varying degrees of involvement—from hidden vertebral defects to protruding meninges or spinal cord tissue in more advanced forms. Folic acid intake before and in early pregnancy lowers the risk, and the condition can be detected with prenatal screening. Other options aren’t spine-structure defects due to early closure issues: talipes is a foot deformity, cleft palate is a facial fusion problem, and Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition.

Spina bifida happens when the spine’s walls don’t close completely during early embryonic development. During the first weeks of pregnancy, the neural tube and the surrounding vertebral arches are supposed to fuse to protect the spinal cord. If closure is incomplete, it creates a structural malformation of the spine, with varying degrees of involvement—from hidden vertebral defects to protruding meninges or spinal cord tissue in more advanced forms. Folic acid intake before and in early pregnancy lowers the risk, and the condition can be detected with prenatal screening.

Other options aren’t spine-structure defects due to early closure issues: talipes is a foot deformity, cleft palate is a facial fusion problem, and Down syndrome is a chromosomal condition.