The damage is permanent. SB is usually accompanied by hydrocephalus .
Treatment is urgent to minimize further neurological damage in the opening in the spine.
Meningocele - the spinal cord develops normally, but the meninges protrudes from the opening created by damaged or missing vertebrae and may be exposed. Occulta - one or more vertebrae are malformed, and covered by a layer of skin. Research continues into the effects of factors such as heredity, nutrition, environment and pollution, and physical damage to the embryo. Eighty percent of those individuals will also have hydrocephalus. The number of individuals with spina bifida occulta can only be estimated.