http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/spina_bifida/detail_spina_bifida.htm
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health
Spina bifida, which literally means “cleft spine,” is characterized by the incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord, and/or meninges (the protective covering around the brain and spinal cord). It is the most common neural tube defect in the United States—affecting 1,500 to 2,000 of the more than 4 million babies born in the country each year. This page discusses the disorder, including signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. An overview of current spina bifida research is also presented.