October 2013 is Spina Bifida Awareness Month. Please share this picture and page to help us raise awareness of  spina bifida.

Spina bifida occurs when there is a  fault in the development of a person’s spine spine (and spinal cord). This fault leaves a gap in their spine.  Of course this means that there is a problem with the brain communicating with the rest of the body because the brain uses the spinal cord as the connection.

According to the UK’s NHS web site “During the first month of life, an embryo (developing baby) grows a structure called the neural tube that will eventually form the spine and nervous system.

In cases of spina bifida, something goes wrong and the spinal column (the bone that surrounds and protects the nerves) does not fully close. Spina bifida is also known as split spine.

The exact causes are unknown, but several risk factors have been identified, the most significant being a lack of folic acid before and at the very start of pregnancy.”

For more information on the condition please go to http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Spina-bifida/Pages/Introduction.aspx

For more information on Spina Bifida Awareness Month please check out the web site of the Spina Bifida Association at http://www.spinabifidaassociation.org/site/c.evKRI7OXIoJ8H/b.8028963/k.BE67/Home.htm.