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Spina Bifida
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    Living with Spina Bifida

    CDC programs and research improve quality of life and encourage full participation at every age for those living with spina bifida.

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    Spina bifida is a major birth defect of a person’s spine. With good quality medical care people with spina bifida can reach their full potential. If you have spina bifida, or know someone who does, it’s important to get the facts so that you can make the best possible health care choices.

    Spina Bifida: What's New
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    Spina Bifida

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    What is Spina Bifida?

    Facts, types, causes, & prevention.

    Health Issues & Treatments

    Types of health issues & their treatments.

    Living with Spina Bifida

    What to expect from birth to adulthood.

    Findings from the Patient Registry

    Research from the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry

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    Research & Tracking

    Prevalence, risk factors, causes, & quality of life.

    About the Patient Registry

    About the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry.

    Urologic Protocol

    Protecting the kidneys of babies born with spina bifida.

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    Scientific articles and research summaries about living with spina bifida.

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    Learn about CDC’s work on spina bifida.

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    About Us
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    Learn about CDC’s work on spina bifida.

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    Women & Expectant Parents
    • Folic Acid
    • Healthy Pregnancy
    • Birth Defects
    • Birth Defects COUNT
    Last Reviewed: October 17, 2022
    Source:  National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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