Spina bifida is a birth defect that literally means "split spine". It occurs when the neural tube, which includes the brain and spinal cord, fails to close properly during early pregnancy
100 UK children a year are born with spina bifida
33 vertebrae in the spine that must form properly
80% of children with spina bifida survive to adulthood
Source: Association for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus, NHS Choices
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