Answer: A birth defect in which a developing baby's spinal cord fails to develop properly.
It occurs when a developing baby's spinal cord fails to develop or close properly while in the womb.
Symptoms can sometimes be seen on the skin above the spinal defect. They include an abnormal tuft of hair, a birthmark or protruding spinal cord tissue.
When treatment is necessary, it's carried out through surgery to close the defect. Other treatments focus on managing complications.
Step-by-step explanation: