Spina Bifida Causes & Risks

Causes

The cause is not known. As with many other birth defects, there is a strong genetic factor. Many studies have shown a link between a low folate diet in the mother and birth defects. The low folate diets are significantly associated with spina bifida.

Risk Factors

Factors that increase the risk of spina bifida include:

• Low maternal blood level of folic acid at the time of conception
• Family history of spina bifida
• A mother who had a previous pregnancy with a neural tube defect
• Mother's race: Hispanic or Caucasian of European origin
• Certain medications given during pregnancy