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Spina Bifida

Background

Spina bifida is a neural tube defect and is a developmental anomaly which occurs very early in pregnancy. The neural tube develops to form the spinal cord, brain and spine. When Spina Bifida occurs, the tube is split and one or more vertebrae (small bones of the back) fail to form properly, thus leaving a gap.

What are the symptoms? View What are the symptoms?

Medical text written November 1991 by Contact a Family. Approved November 1991 by Professor M Patton, Professor of Medical Genetics, St Georges Hospital Medical School, London, UK and Dr J E Wraith, Consultant Paediatrician, Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Manchester, UK. Last updated May 1997 by Dr C R Birch, Consultant Physician and Medical Director, Grantham and District Hospital, Grantham, UK. Last reviewed July 2007 by Mr I K Pople, Consultant Neurosurgeon, Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK

 

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