Myelomeningocele
Myelomeningocele (MM) occurs in 1 in 1000 newborns in the United States and is the most common physically disabling birth defect in humans. Caused by failure of fusion of the caudal portion of the neural tube (the embryonic structure that gives rise to the central nervous system), MMs most commonly occur in either the lumbar or the sacral portions of the spine. Because of the neurologic deficit that occurs distal to the site of MM, affected children often require intervention by many members of a diverse group of medical and surgical specialists, including neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, urologists, rehabilitation and developmental medicine specialists, and the general pediatrician.
