What is Spina Bifida?

Spina Bifida is the most common permanently disabling birth defect that is associated with life in the United States. It's a type of neural tube defect (NTD) that occurs when a babies neural tube fails to develop or close properly - the literal meaning for Spina Bifida is "split spine". Typically occurring within the first 28 days of pregnancy, while the neural tube is forming, Spina Bifida often occurs before a woman knows she is pregnant. 

What is Spina Bifida?

eight babies born in the United States have Spina Bifida or a similar birth defect of the brain and spine. What causes Spina Bifida? No one knows for sure. Scientists believe that genetic and environmental factors act together to cause the condition. What are the different types of Spina Bifida? Occult Spinal Dysraphism (OSD)

Spina Bida Occulta

It is often called “hidden Spina Bida” because about 15 percent of healthy people have it and do not know it. Spina Occulta usually does not cause harm and has no visible signs. The spinal cord and nerves are usually fine. People find out they have it after having an X-ray of their back. It is considered an incidental because the X-Ray is normally done for other reasons. However, in a small group of people with SBO, pain and neurological symptoms may occur. Tethered cord can be an insidious complication that requires investigation by a neurosurgeon.


Individuals with this condition may have minor disabilities.


(Meningomyelocele), also called Spina Bida Cystica This is the most severe form of Spina Bida. It happens when parts of the spinal cord and nerves come through
the open part of the spine. It causes nerve damage and other disabilities. Seventy to ninety percent of children with this condition also have too much fluid on their brains. This happens because the fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord is unable to drain like it should. The fluid builds up, causing pressure and swelling. Without treatment, a person’s head grows too big and may have brain damage. Children who do not have Spina Bida can also have this problem, so parents need to check with a doctor.

How is Spina Bifida Treated?


A child with Meningocele usually has it treated with surgery, and more often than not, the child is not paralyzed. Most children with this condition grow up
one, but they should be checked by a doctor because they could have other serious problems, too. A child with OSD should see a surgeon. Most experts
think that surgery is needed early to keep nerves and the brain from becoming more damaged as the child grows. Spina Occulta usually does not need to be treated.

What can you do to prevent Spina Bifida?

Women who are old enough to have babies should take folic acid before and during the first three months of pregnancy. Because half of the pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, the Spina Bifida Association asks women to take a vitamin with 400 mcg (0.4 mg) of folic acid each day during the years of their lives when they are possibly able to have children. Women who have a child or sibling with Spina Bida, have had an affected pregnancy or have Spina Bida themselves should take 4000 mcg (4.0 mg) of folic acid for one to three months before and during the first three months of pregnancy.

What is folic acid?

Folic acid is a vitamin that the body needs to grow and be healthy. It is found in many foods, but the man-made or synthetic form in pills is better absorbed by our bodies.

What conditions are associated with Spina Bifida?

Children and young adults with Spina Bida can have mental and social problems. They also can have problems with walking and getting around or going to the bathroom, latex allergy, obesity, skin breakdown, gastrointestinal disorders, learning disabilities, depression, tendonitis, and sexual issues.

What physical limitations exist?


Can Spina Bifida be detected before birth?

Yes. There are three tests.*
1) A blood test during the 16th to 18th weeks of pregnancy. This is called the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP screening test). This test is higher in about 75–80 % of women who have a fetus with Spina AFP testing is not the most reliable form of detection and is not frequently done anymore.
2) An ultrasound of the fetus. This is also called a sonogram and can show signs of Spina Bida such as the open spine. This is the usual way that most
SB pregnancies are detected.

Can children with Spina Bifida grow up and live full lives?

Yes. With help, children with Spina Bida can lead full lives. Most do well in school, and many play in sports. Because of today’s medicine, about 90 percent of
babies born with Spina Bida now live to be adults, about 80 percent have normal intelligence and about 75 percent play sports and do other fun activities.

How is Spina Bifida managed?

As type and level of severity differ among people with Spina Bida, each person with the condition faces different challenges and may require different treatments.
The best way to manage Spina Bida is with a team approach. Members of the team may include neurosurgeons, urologists, orthopedists, physical and occupational therapists, orthotists, psychologists and medical social workers.

This information does not constitute medical advice for any individual. As special cases may vary from the general information presented here, SBA advises readers to consult a qualified medical or other professional on an individual basis.


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