Spina Bifida Occulta Information
Spina bifida results from the failure of the posterior arch (back part) of the vertebrae to close or fuse during the first month of fetal development. The three main types of spina bifida are spina bifida occulta, meningocele, and myelomeningocele. Spina bifida symptoms vary according to the severity of the spinal opening as well as the type of spina bifida a child has. In terms of prevention, taking folic acid prior to and during pregnancy is now being recommended. Learn more about spina bifida symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment here.
Articles
1 2 
Parents of a child diagnosed with spina bifida immediately have a host of questions: what is spina bifida, what treatment options exist, what should we expect going forward, and more. Start here to...
Spina bifida has three main types, identified by the degree of bony closure of the spine and involvement of the spinal cord. One type may not be found until the patient complains of back pain.
Spina bifida has three main types, identified by the degree of bony closure of the spine and involvement of the spinal cord. One type may not be found until the patient complains of back pain.
Spina bifida affects the nerves in the spine that transfer messages from the brain to muscles, and from muscles back up to the brain. Affected areas depend on the location of the spinal lesion.
Spina bifida occurs within 28 days of conception, when the neural tube around the spine closes. Folic acid helps prevent the condition, but the condition's causes aren't entirely understood.
The rate of occurrence for spina bifida has dropped dramatically in the last 40 years. Learn by how much, as well as what other spina bifida statistics recent research has provided.
1 2
