Spina Bifida is a birth defect where the bones of the vertebrae in the spine don’t form fully around the spinal cord. It could happen anywhere on the vertebrae, producing swelling under the skin wherever the opening is. Spina Bifida happens to be a common birth defect of neural tube defects. 1,500 to 2,000 of the more than 4 million babies born in the country each year are affected. There are three main types of Spina Bifida; Occulta, Meningocele, and Myelomeningocele.
. The most common form is called Spina Bifida Occulta. Occulta means “hidden”, indicating that a layer of skin covers the deformity. This mild Spina Bifida rarely causes disability or symptoms leaving an estimated 10-24% of the population unknowingly possessing the