Myelomeningocele, the most severe form, in which the spinal cord and its protective covering (the meninges) protrude from an opening in the spine (see Myelomeningocele)
Meningocele, in which the spinal cord develops normally but the meninges protrude from a spinal opening (see Meningocele)
Spina bifida occulta, the mildest form, in which one or more vertebrae are malformed and are covered by a layer of skin (see Spina Bifida Occulta).
Spina bifida may also cause bowel and bladder complications, and many children with spina bifida will have hydrocephalus, which is an excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain.
The exact cause of spina bifida is not known. However, spina bifida research scientists suspect that there may be a genetic cause of spina bifida or that nutritional and environmental factors may play a role in the development of the condition.
(Click Causes of Spina Bifida for more information about the possible causes of spina bifida, including spina bifida risk factors.)
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