Stark, G. D., and Drummond, M. (1973). Archives of Disease in Childhood, 48, 676. Results of selective early operation in myelomeningocele. In a 6-year period 163 unselected newborn infants with open myelomeningocele were assessed. 48%, considered to have the most favourable prognosis, were selected for early back closure and vigorous subsequent treatment. The more severely affected remainder w...

We analyzed 31 children with myelomeningocele born between July 1990 and July 2000. Follow-up median was 24 months (6-68 months). Only 2 mothers had a known etiologic factor (diabetes mellitus). Twelve had the correct prenatal diagnosis. All children were born at term; 23 by cesarean; 13 had rupture of the membrane. Surgical correction had a 4 days median (1 to 44 days). Lumbosacral lesions wer...

Bladder disorders are not well recognized, but a range of conditions can damage or compromise bladder function, necessitating eventual organ replacement or repair. In children, the most common congenital abnormalities involve the genitourinary system, including bladder exstrophy, urinary tract defects (1 in 500 children) that damage the bladder and kidneys (e.g. obstructive uropathy), and neuro...

DiGeorge syndrome - a component of the 22q11 deletion syndrome - causes a disturbance in cervical neural crest migration that results in parathyroid hypoplasia. Patients can develop hypocalcemia-induced seizures. Spina bifida is caused by failure of neurulation, including a disturbance in the adhesion processes at the neurula stage. Spina bifida has been reported as a risk factor for epilepsy. ...

PURPOSE To describe motor development toward ambulation in children with myelomeningocele. METHODS Forty-three children were followed prospectively from 6 months to 6 years of age. RESULTS Walking function had been achieved at the 1-year follow-up in 2 of 38 children, at the 1.5-year follow-up in 7 of 39, at the 2-year follow-up in 14 of 36, at the 3-year follow-up in 21 of 28, at the 4-yea...

This study aimed to describe participation and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescents and young adults with myelomeningocele and to explore their relationships with lifestyle-related factors. Fifty-one individuals with a mean age of 21 years 1 month (SD 4y 6mo) years participated (26 males, 25 females; 82% hydrocephalus, 55% wheelchair-dependent). Participation was assessed using...