Spina Bifida Association 
of North Carolina

Serving people living with spina bifida, the most frequently occurring permanently disabling birth defect.

SBANC is a tax-exempt, non-profit 501 (c)(3) charity organization serving people living with spina bifida and their families. All donations are tax-deductible. 

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What Is Spina Bifida?

Is there a cause or a cure?

How do I join SBANC?

How do I get the SBANC newsletter?

What Is Spina Bifida? 
Spina Bifida is the most common form of Neural Tube Defects (NTDs). It results from the failure of the spine to close properly in the first weeks of pregnancy. The nerves controlling the legs, bladder and bowel can be incompletely developed or damaged.

The condition can result in varying degrees of paralysis, loss of sensation in the lower limbs, and in bowel and bladder complications. Spina bifida is often accompanied by hydrocephalus, the accumulation of fluid in the brain. Hydrocephalus is controlled by a surgical procedure called "shunting".

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Is there a cause or a cure? 
As a result of today's sophisticated medical and psychosocial interventions, most children born with spina bifida live well into adulthood. Although at this time there is no definite cause or cure for spina bifida, studies have shown that taking folic acid before pregnancy can reduce the incidence of occurrence of spina bifida in babies by up to 75 percent. 

Therefore, the US Public Health Service recommends "that all women of childbearing age in the United States should consume 0.4 mg of folic acid daily to reduce the risk of having a pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect."

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How do I join SBANC?

The Spina Bifida Association of North Carolina is open to people in North Carolina living with spina bifida, and their family members. There is no cost to join. Just send your name, why you are interested in joining SBANC (e.g. have spina bifida, family member, etc.) your mailing address and e-mail address to: sbanc@mindspring.com

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How can I get the SBANC Newsletter?

The SBANC newsletter may be of interest to members, teachers, health care professionals, donors, volunteers, etc. To receive a copy, please send your name, why you are interested in getting the newsletter (member, donor, volunteer, teacher, etc.), mailing address and e-mail address to sbanc@mindspring.com

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