Spina bifida is a congenital defect wher there is an incomplete fusion or no fusion oft he spinal arches and may or may not be associate with a spinal cort cleft. It occurs due to the lack of fusion of the lateral part of the arches oft he spine. The dorsal cleft oft he spine is left behind, usually at the junction of individual sections oft he spine. It can occur int he occipital-cervical, cervical-thoracic and most often int he lumbo-sacral part. There are also more malformations i.e. multiple degrees of spina bifida. Spina bifida occulta is a clef of the spinal cord arches covered with skin that does not usually involve the spinal cord. Spina bifida cystica is a more severe malformation oft he neural tube in which nerve tissue and/or meninges int he form of a cyst (sac) protude through split vertebral arches anda n opening int he skin. It is divided into three types. Spina bifida with meningocele, in which only envelopes filled with cerebrospinal fluid protrude through the cleft spine. In spina bifida with meningomyelocele, the cyst also contains nerve tissue that failed to close during embryonic development. Spina bifida with myeloshis or rabiesis occurs when neural tube closure is absent, vertebral arches are missing and a flattened mass of nerve tissue opens outward just below skin level. Exposed nerve tissue degenerates int he uterus, resulting in a neurological deficit that varies depending on the type of lession. Although the cause of spina bifida is not know, some non-genetic factors include decreased folate intake, diabetes mellitus, obesity, high fever, valproic acid, hypervitaminosis and a number of other teratogenic factors. Prenatal diagnosis is made by ultrasound. The lesions are surgically closed int he uterus until birth. It is important to start physiotherapy from an early age in order to improve the quality of life as the child ages. By optimizing and maintaining mobility, withh can ultimately help children become more independet as they age. The physiotherapist will conduct an initial assessment oft he muscle strenght and range of motion oft he infants in specific joints. This will allow the physiotherapist to determine which muscles are working properly and which muscles are weaker. Passive exercises will help maintain flexibility and avoid the development of contractures. Alterd muscle tone is common in SB, so the physiotherapist uses resistance exercises to strenghten weakened muscles.