While the numbers may seem small compared to the national birth rate, experts warn that many cases go unnoticed, leaving children vulnerable to lifelong disabilities.
According to Agatha Namutosi Wakama, a paediatrician at Cure Children’s Hospital in Mbale, spina bifida begins very early in pregnancy.
“Spina bifida is a condition where the spinal cord is split. When a baby is developing in the first eight weeks of pregnancy, if there is a defect during that time, problems can occur.
The defect usually happens within the eighth week of pregnancy,” she explains.
The condition is closely linked to folic acid deficiency, a preventable cause.
“Folic acid deficiency is a contributing factor to spina bifida, especially when it’s not present in adequate levels to support the proper formation of the neural tube,” Wakama says.
The neural tube is what eventually forms the baby’s brain and spinal cord, and a lack of folic acid during early development can cause serious birth defects.
Spina bifida is often associated with hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid builds up in the brain.
“Because of the defect itself, a child can be born with both conditions at the same time, since the brain and spinal cord are closely interconnected,” Wakama adds.
Cure Children’s Hospital in Mbale remains one of the few specialized centers in Uganda providing surgical care for children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
The hospital treats thousands of children with neurological conditions, offering both surgery and long-term rehabilitation to improve their quality of life.
While medical interventions are available, Wakama emphasizes that prevention is key.
Simple actions like ensuring women of reproductive age take folic acid supplements before and during early pregnancy can drastically reduce the risk of the condition.
As Uganda continues to strengthen maternal and child health programs, experts hope that increased awareness, better nutrition, and access to prenatal care will help prevent new cases and give every child the best start in life.