Spina bifida is a congenital defect that is present at the birth of a
             child. It is caused by problems with early development of the spine with
             the main defect being the failure of the closure of the vertebral column
             that is the bony column that surrounds the spinal cord. Without this
             closure, the spinal cord is not afforded the usual protection of the
             vertebrae, and is left open to either mechanical injury or invasion by
             However, spina bifida may be treated with utero surgery. While this
             is a risky yet promising procedure, it appears to improve short-term
             outcomes (Worcester, 2003). Dr. Joseph Bruner, professor of obstetrics and
             gynecology at Vanderbilt, states that, "To date, more than 250 surgeries to
             repair the lesions associated with spina bifida have been performed at
             centers such as Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, the University of
             California, San Francisco, and Vanderbilt University." In utero repair has
             several advantages over postnatal surgery. They include potentially fewer
             urinary infections, less gastrointestinal reflux, improved fetal leg
             function and cognitive development, and less need for shunt placement with
             The most reoccurring type of spina bifida is an opening in the spine
             that appears in the body midline anywhere from the neck to the buttocks
             area. This may be detected before birth and a pediatric surgeon may be
             available to perform surgery upon birth. Since the spinal cord is not
             developed properly, the defect may be much more subtle, and may, in fact,
             be covered with skin, while in spinal rachischisis, the most severe form of
             spina bifida, the entire length of the spine may be open.
             The cause of spina bifida may be a combination of genetic factors
             along with environmental influences that bring about malformation of the
             spine and spinal column. While all of the reasons that contribute to the
             ...