ICD-11 classes
08 Diseases of the nervous system
Structural developmental anomalies of the nervous system
LA02 — Spina bifida

ICD-11 LA02 — Spina bifida

Spina bifida is the most common of a group of birth defects called neural tube defects. Spina bifida affects the backbone and, sometimes, the spinal cord. Aperta spina bifida defines the dorsal malclosure of vertebrae, associated with various degrees of spine defects. A pocket of skin may form, containing meninges (meningocele) or spinal cord and meninges (myelomeningocele). Different subtypes are distinguished according to the location of the defect. Consequences are paraplegia (paralysed lower limbs), hydrocephaly, Chiari malformation (result of the attached spine during life in utero), urinary and anorectal incontinence. The intensity of signs varies greatly with the level and extent of the lesion.

Diagnosis with code LA02 contains 4 clarifying diagnoses:

1. LA02.0 — Spina bifida cystica
   It contains 5 clarifying diagnoses.
2. LA02.1 — Spina bifida aperta
3. LA02.Y — Other specified spina bifida
4. LA02.Z — Spina bifida, unspecified

The diagnosis is coded elsewhere:

• Structural developmental anomalies of the nervous system #22217
• Spina bifida #22229