RESUMEN
Introducción: Los niños con mielomenigocele presentan limitaciones en su movilidad lo que incide en su independencia e integración social. Objetivo: evaluar la independencia lograda en el área de movilidad y transferencias según nivel de lesión neurológica y edad, Materiales y método: estudio retrospectivo de revisión de 577 fichas clínicas, de pacientes de 3 a18 años, con evaluación WeeFIM entre los años 2000-2004; 296 cumplieron requisitos de inclusión. Se registraron variables biodemográficas, puntaje WeeFIM, nivel de lesión neurológica que se clasificó: alto (dorsales, Ll, L2), medio (L3, L4) Y bajo (L5, sacro); edad dicotomizada en menores de 7 y ≥ 7 años, usando criterio de la edad mediana. Se usó SPSS para pruebas de normalidad, asociación y ANOVA con p
Introduction: Children with Myelomeningocele show mobility limitations that affect their independence and social integration. Objective: To assess the independence reached in the mobility and transfer area according to the neurological level of injury and age in children with myelomeningocele. Material and method: Retrospective study, where 577 clinical records of patients between 3 and 18 years old were reviewed, with WeeFIM evaluation registered between 2000 and 2004 years; 296 met the inclusion criteria. The data registered were: biodemographic variables, WeeFIM score, neurologicallevel of injury: high (thoracic, L1 and L2), middle (L3 and L4) and low (L5 and sacrum), and age dichotomized at younger ®7 years old) and older (≥ 7 years old), using median age criteria. The SPSS was used for normality, association, and ANOVA tests, with p< 0.05. Results: Functional independence was related significantly with neurological level of injury and age. Younger children showed complete dependence for upstairs, transference toilet, and hygiene. Older children with neurological middle or low level of injury showed a higher independence; on the other hand, children with high neurological level of injury continue being dependent. The mobility item was related significantly with neurological level of injury in younger children. Conclusions: A significant association between functionality, neurological level of injury, and age was found. Patients with myelomeningocele didn't have reached the functional independence expected; in a subgroup of patients of 12 years old and older a decreased functionality was found when compared to studies of reference.