Spina Bifida in Spanish

What it means

Spina bifida is a neural tube defect, a type of birth defect of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. It happens if the spinal column of the fetus doesn't close completely during the first month of pregnancy, which can damage the nerves and spinal cord. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) lists four types: occulta, closed neural tube defects, meningocele, and myelomeningocele, which it calls the most severe form. Screening tests during pregnancy can check for spina bifida, and sometimes it is discovered only after the baby is born. Some people need assistive devices such as braces, crutches, or wheelchairs. MedlinePlus says the exact cause is unknown and that taking folic acid can reduce the risk of having a baby with spina bifida.

Spanish term: Espina Bífida
Gender and article: feminine: la espina bífida
Pronunciation: ehs-PEE-nah BEE-fee-dah

MedlinePlus en español, the Spanish NICHD page and the Real Academia Española dictionary all write espina bífida with a lowercase b in running text and a written accent on the í; the capital B of this page's headword is title-style capitalization only. The dictionary enters the expression under espina as a feminine medical term, so it takes la: la espina bífida. MedlinePlus en español describes it as un defecto del tubo neural, a type of defecto congénito (birth defect).

The Spanish NICHD page names the three most common types: mielomeningocele, which it says is also called espina bífida abierta; meningocele; and espina bífida oculta, which it calls the mildest type. Words that appear on the same pages include columna vertebral (spinal column), médula espinal (spinal cord), hidrocefalia (a buildup of fluid in the brain), ácido fólico (folic acid), aparatos ortopédicos (braces), muletas (crutches) and sillas de ruedas (wheelchairs).

Phrases for an appointment

What a patient or a clinician might say, in English and Spanish:

Who	English	Spanish
Clinician	The screening test suggests that your baby may have spina bifida. We need more tests to know for certain.	La prueba de detección indica que su bebé podría tener espina bífida. Necesitamos más pruebas para saberlo con certeza.
Patient	What does that mean for my baby's spine?	¿Qué significa eso para la columna vertebral de mi bebé?
Patient	My son was born with spina bifida and had surgery when he was a baby.	Mi hijo nació con espina bífida y lo operaron cuando era bebé.
Clinician	Which type of spina bifida does he have: myelomeningocele or meningocele?	¿Qué tipo de espina bífida tiene: mielomeningocele o meningocele?
Clinician	Does he use braces, crutches, or a wheelchair?	¿Usa aparatos ortopédicos, muletas o silla de ruedas?
Patient	He uses leg braces, and he also has hydrocephalus.	Usa aparatos ortopédicos en las piernas y también tiene hidrocefalia.
Clinician	Does he have any urinary or bowel problems?	¿Tiene algún problema urinario o intestinal?
Patient	I am planning another pregnancy. Can we talk about folic acid?	Estoy planeando otro embarazo. ¿Podemos hablar del ácido fólico?

In 9 languages

Language	Term
English	Spina Bifida
Spanish (Español)	Espina Bífida
Chinese (中文)	脊柱裂
Korean (한국어)	이분척추
Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)	Tật nứt đốt sống
Filipino (Tagalog)	Spina Bifida
Portuguese (Português)	Espinha Bífida
Thai (ภาษาไทย)	กระดูกสันหลังพิการแต่กำเนิด
Japanese (日本語)	二分脊椎

Where you'll see it

chartEOBreferralmedical record

Related ICD-10-CM category

ICD-10-CM code: Q05 → Spina bifida

Related terms

Your right to an interpreter in the United States

If English is not your primary language and you have difficulty communicating in English, you may need an interpreter or a translated document when you visit a doctor or dentist, go to the emergency room or pick up a prescription. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights states that two federal laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, require programs that receive its funding to provide language access services free of charge.

You can ask when you make the appointment or at the front desk: "I need an interpreter, please." «Necesito un intérprete, por favor.»

More terms: Brain and nerves

All terms in this area: Brain and nerves — Cerebro y nervios

Sources

This page is a language reference. It is not medical advice.