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Medical problems in adolescents with myelomeningocele (MMC): an inventory of the Swedish MMC population born during 1986-1989

Olsson, I. ; Dahl, M. ; Mattsson, S. ; Wendelius, M. ; Astrom, E. and Westbom, Lena LU (2007) In Acta Pædiatrica 96(3). p.446-449
Abstract
Aim: To describe the prevalence of myelomeningocele (MMC) and the medical needs of adolescents, 15-18 years, with MMC in Sweden, at a time when they are on the threshold of adulthood, leaving paediatrics. Methods: In a retrospective study, we identified all adolescents with MMC, born during 1986-1989 and living in Sweden on July 1, 2004. An inventory was agreed upon with questions concerning their medical problems and need for medical care. Results: There were 175 persons 15-18 years of age, born with MMC or lipoMMC (prevalence 3.8 per 10 000). Hydrocephalus was seen in 86%, 31% had been operated because of tethered cord syndrome, and 6% for Chiari malformation symptoms. The majority had motor impairments. Clean intermittent... (More)
Aim: To describe the prevalence of myelomeningocele (MMC) and the medical needs of adolescents, 15-18 years, with MMC in Sweden, at a time when they are on the threshold of adulthood, leaving paediatrics. Methods: In a retrospective study, we identified all adolescents with MMC, born during 1986-1989 and living in Sweden on July 1, 2004. An inventory was agreed upon with questions concerning their medical problems and need for medical care. Results: There were 175 persons 15-18 years of age, born with MMC or lipoMMC (prevalence 3.8 per 10 000). Hydrocephalus was seen in 86%, 31% had been operated because of tethered cord syndrome, and 6% for Chiari malformation symptoms. The majority had motor impairments. Clean intermittent catheterisation for bladder emptying was used by 85%, and 59% used enemas on a regular basis because of the neurogenic bowel dysfunction. Renal dysfunction was seen in 1.7% of the adolescents. Conclusion: Lifelong follow-up by many specialists, among others neurologists and neurosurgeons, urotherapists and urologists, orthopaedic surgeons and orthotists, is necessary for individuals with MMC. The complex medical situation, often in combination with cognitive difficulties, makes it necessary to coordinate medical services for this increasing group of adults with multiple impairments. (Less)
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author
; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
spina bifida, myelomeningocele, comprehensive care, adolescence, adult
in
Acta Pædiatrica
volume
96
issue
3
pages
446 - 449
publisher
Wiley-Blackwell
external identifiers
  • wos:000244716300028
  • scopus:33947330626
  • pmid:17407475
ISSN
1651-2227
DOI
10.1111/j.1651-2227.2006.00153.x
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c832fa44-38a9-4bdd-ad36-0863f33abb66 (old id 671855)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 16:20:06
date last changed
2022-01-28 18:55:57
@article{c832fa44-38a9-4bdd-ad36-0863f33abb66,
  abstract     = {{Aim: To describe the prevalence of myelomeningocele (MMC) and the medical needs of adolescents, 15-18 years, with MMC in Sweden, at a time when they are on the threshold of adulthood, leaving paediatrics. Methods: In a retrospective study, we identified all adolescents with MMC, born during 1986-1989 and living in Sweden on July 1, 2004. An inventory was agreed upon with questions concerning their medical problems and need for medical care. Results: There were 175 persons 15-18 years of age, born with MMC or lipoMMC (prevalence 3.8 per 10 000). Hydrocephalus was seen in 86%, 31% had been operated because of tethered cord syndrome, and 6% for Chiari malformation symptoms. The majority had motor impairments. Clean intermittent catheterisation for bladder emptying was used by 85%, and 59% used enemas on a regular basis because of the neurogenic bowel dysfunction. Renal dysfunction was seen in 1.7% of the adolescents. Conclusion: Lifelong follow-up by many specialists, among others neurologists and neurosurgeons, urotherapists and urologists, orthopaedic surgeons and orthotists, is necessary for individuals with MMC. The complex medical situation, often in combination with cognitive difficulties, makes it necessary to coordinate medical services for this increasing group of adults with multiple impairments.}},
  author       = {{Olsson, I. and Dahl, M. and Mattsson, S. and Wendelius, M. and Astrom, E. and Westbom, Lena}},
  issn         = {{1651-2227}},
  keywords     = {{spina bifida; myelomeningocele; comprehensive care; adolescence; adult}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{446--449}},
  publisher    = {{Wiley-Blackwell}},
  series       = {{Acta Pædiatrica}},
  title        = {{Medical problems in adolescents with myelomeningocele (MMC): an inventory of the Swedish MMC population born during 1986-1989}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1651-2227.2006.00153.x}},
  doi          = {{10.1111/j.1651-2227.2006.00153.x}},
  volume       = {{96}},
  year         = {{2007}},
}