Building Understanding, Inspiring Support
Awareness is the first step toward understanding. During Spina Bifida Awareness Month, we’re highlighting facts, resources and opportunities to support those living with this lifelong condition.
Spina Bifida Awareness Month, observed in October, aims to raise awareness about spina bifida, a neural tube defect that occurs when the spine doesn't fully close during early fetal development. This condition can lead to varying degrees of physical and intellectual disabilities, depending on the severity and location of the defect.
The month serves as an opportunity to educate others about the causes, prevention, and management of spina bifida, emphasizing the importance of folic acid supplementation for women of childbearing age, which has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of neural tube defects.
Did you know…
- The term Spina Bifida comes from Latin and means “split spine”.
- Spina Bifida is one of the most common congenital birth defects that cause disability.
- There is no cure for Spina Bifida.
- Spina Bifida occurs in the first 28 days of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she’s pregnant.
- Every year in the United States, approximately 1,250 – 1,427 babies are born with Spina Bifida.
- By the age of 18, almost all people with Spina Bifida will have had at least 8 surgeries.
- Nearly two-thirds of the 166,000 people in the United States with Spina Bifida are adults.
Behind every statistic is a person, family, and story. Help raise awareness, encourage understanding and support those living with or affected by spina bifida every day.
Advocacy and Resources
Organizations and advocates participate in various activities throughout the month, including informational campaigns, fundraising events, and community outreach programs. For additional information or events in your area, see the links below.
International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
