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Secondary impairments in young adults with spina bifida
Author(s) -
Verhoef M,
Barf HA,
Post M W M,
Asbeck F W A,
Gooskens R H J M,
Prevo A J H
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1017/s0012162204000684
Subject(s) - spina bifida , hydrocephalus , medicine , lesion , pediatrics , spina bifida occulta , spasticity , physical therapy , surgery
The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of secondary impairments in young adults with spina bifida and to relate the prevalence to the type of spina bifida and the level of lesion. This cross‐sectional study is part of the ASPINE (Adolescents with Spina Bifida in the Netherlands) study. Data were collected on medical history, hydrocephalus (shunt: yes/no), neurological level of lesion (International Standards for Neurological and Functional Classification of Spinal Cord Injury), visual acuity (Landolt rings), spasticity (Modified Ash worth Scale), contractures (range of motion), scoliosis (deviation from perpendicular), ambulation (Hoffer criteria), pressure sores and blood pressure (physical examination), epilepsy, pain, incontinence and sexuality (questionnaire), and cognitive functioning (Raven Standard Progressive Matrices). In total, 179 patients with spina bifida participated (41% male, age range 16 to 25 years, mean 20 years 9 months, SD 2 years 11 months). These were 37 patients with spina bifida occulta, 119 patients with spina bifida aperta and hydrocephalus (AHC + ) and 23 patients with spina bifida aperta without hydrocephalus (AHC − ). Of our patient group, 73 had a high‐level lesion (L2 and above), 68 a mid‐level lesion (L3 to L5), and 38 a low‐level lesion (S1 and below). Both subdivisions were strongly related with patients with higher lesions more often having hydrocephalus. Most secondary impairments were found for patients with AHC + , and patients with AHC − were mostly comparable to patients with spina bifida occulta. According to level of lesion, most medical problems were found in the high‐level lesion group. However, all subgroups suffered from health problems.