Spina Bifida

Overview

Spina bifida is a serious birth defect that causes incomplete development of part of the spinal cord, its covering and the spine. This malformation happens in the womb when your baby is just beginning to develop. Whether your baby's condition is mild, severe or somewhere in between depends on the type of defect, how big it is, where it is and whether other problems are associated with it.

With good medical care, it's possible for your child to have an active life, success in school and even to enjoy sports activities despite the physical challenges.

Why choose Mayo Clinic

• Expertise. Mayo Clinic in Minnesota has a Spina Bifida Clinic in which staff coordinate needed multispecialty care.
• Experience. Mayo Clinic has considerable experience in treating children and adults who have spina bifida.
• Team approach. Children who have spina bifida often need care by a team of specialists, which can include pediatric specialists in neurosurgery, neurology, urology, radiology, orthopedic surgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery, for urology, for orthopedics and for rehabilitation by U.S. News & World Report.

Read more about spina bifida at MayoClinic.com.