Which sign is commonly associated with spina bifida?

Which sign is commonly associated with spina bifida?

• A. A tuft of hair on the lower back
• B. A caput succedaneum
• C. Stridor
• D. Jaundice

Answer: (A)

A tuft of hair on the lower back is a cutaneous marker that can accompany spina bifida occulta, a mild form of spinal dysraphism where the vertebral arches don’t fuse properly but the spinal cord and meninges don’t protrude. This skin finding signals an underlying vertebral defect and may prompt imaging to assess the spine for occult abnormalities or tethered cord. Other signs listed point to different conditions: a caput succedaneum is birth-related scalp swelling from pressure during delivery, stridor is an airway noise from breathing issues, and jaundice reflects elevated bilirubin from liver immaturity or hemolysis.

A tuft of hair on the lower back is a cutaneous marker that can accompany spina bifida occulta, a mild form of spinal dysraphism where the vertebral arches don’t fuse properly but the spinal cord and meninges don’t protrude. This skin finding signals an underlying vertebral defect and may prompt imaging to assess the spine for occult abnormalities or tethered cord. Other signs listed point to different conditions: a caput succedaneum is birth-related scalp swelling from pressure during delivery, stridor is an airway noise from breathing issues, and jaundice reflects elevated bilirubin from liver immaturity or hemolysis.