Health

The rates of spina bifida have dropped dramatically over the last thirty years. In 1970, spina bifida was seen in approximately 1 out of every 1,000 live births. After 1995, there has been a further reduction in the number of children born in the United States with spina bifida. This can likely be attributed to the United States Food and Drug Administration mandate in 1996 that all enriched cereal grain products be fortified with folic acid. In 1995, 0.3 out of every 1,000 live births was affected. The numbers have continued to decrease, with the most recent data from 2004 indicating that 0.2 out of every 1,000 live births are affected by spina bifida.

Most children with spina bifida have involvement at the lumbosacral level (42%). 27% are mid-lumbar, 21% are at the sacral level, 6% are in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar regions, 1% are cervical and another 1% are upper thoracic. 2% have large lesions involving the entire lumbosacral spine.