Spinal bifida is a birth defect in which there is incomplete closing of the spine and the membranes around the spinal cord during early development in pregnancy.[1] There are three main types: spina bifida occulta, meningocele and myelomeningocele. The most common location is the lower back, but in rare cases it may be in the middle back or neck. Occulta has no or only mild signs, which may include a hairy patch, dimple, dark spot or swelling on the back at the site of the gap in the spine. Meningocele typically causes mild problems, with a sac of fluid present at the gap in the spine. Myelomeningocele, also known as open spina bifida, is the most severe form.[2] Problems associated with this form include poor ability to walk, impaired bladder or bowel control, accumulation of fluid in the brain (hydrocephalus), a tethered spinal cord and latex allergy.[2] Learning problems are relatively uncommonScores in study participants were compared with healthy controls. Also, the impact of AP, gender, level of spinal lesion, hydrocephalus methods of catheterization and defecation, mobility and level of schooling on HRQL was evaluated. Results: One hundred and two of the 133 eligible children (77%) filled out the KINDL-R. Patients and their parents had significantly lower HRQL scores than healthy controls (p<0.001). Parents had significantly lower scores than their children, especially in the psychological domains. Severity of co-morbidity was not associated with differences in HRQL. There were no differences between children who continued and stopped AP. Conclusions: HRQL scores are lower in spina bifida patients compared to healthy children. Parents have even lower scores, especially in the phychological domains. Stopping antibiotic prophylaxis does not adversely affect HRQL, and should therefore be pursued to improve bacterial resistance patterns in spina bifida patients.