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Myelomeningocele
Aka: Myelomeningocele
- Epidemiology
- Occurs in 1 per 1000 live births
- Risk Factors
- Maternal Folate Deficiency
- Prior history of child with Myelomeningocele (4% risk)
- Valproic Acid (1-2% risk if taken during pregnancy)
- Pathophysiology
- Severe form of Spinal Dysraphism
- Affects lumbosacral region in 75% of cases
- Associated with dysfunction of multiple organ systems
- Signs
- Flaccid paralysis of lower extremities
- Deep Tendon Reflexes absent
- Associated Conditions
- Hydrocephalus and Chiari II Malformation (80% of cases)
- Neurogenic Bladder
- Urinary Incontinence
- Stool Incontinence
- Management
- Supportive care may be appropriate in severe cases
- Surgery in first few days of life
- Surgical repair of Myelomeningocele
- CSF Shunt for Hydrocephalus
- Frequent Bladder Catheterization for neurogenic Bladder
- Reduces risk of Pyelonephritis and Hydronephrosis
- Prognosis
- Mortality with aggressive treatment: 10-15% by age 4
- Normal intelligence in 70% of survivors
- Prevention
- Folic Acid supplementation started before conception
- References
- Behrman (2000) Nelson Pediatrics, Saunders, p. 1804
- Goetz (1999) Neurology, Saunders, p. 515-16