Spina Bifida

Spina bifida occurs when the fetus is growing in the womb and its spine doesn't form correctly (a neural tube defect). Some of the vertebrae (bones in the spine) don't close to make their normal ring shapes around the spinal cord.

In the U.S., spina bifida occurs more frequently among Hispanics and whites of European extraction, and less commonly among Asians and African-Americans. 95% of babies born with spina bifida have no family history of it.

Photo © A.D.A.M.