Spina Bifida

A congenital birth defect in which the embryonic neural tube fails to close completely during development, resulting in an incompletely formed spinal cord. The severity ranges from mild (spina bifida occulta, often asymptomatic) to severe (myelomeningocele, where the spinal cord and nerves protrude through an opening in the spine). Effects can include partial or complete paralysis of the lower limbs, reduced fine motor control, bowel and bladder dysfunction, and in some cases cognitive difficulties. Many individuals with spina bifida use wheelchairs and may have difficulty manipulating standard input devices like mice and keyboards, making accessible computer interfaces and assistive technologies important for education, employment, and social participation.