Clinical Study on Myelomeningocele

ABSTRACT

Myelomengocele is one of the most common congenital anomalies. The exact incidence of myelomeningocele is not known, but it is about one to three per 1000 live births. The long term results of treatment of infants born with myelomeningocele are disappointing. So many factors must be considered in deciding the treatment of the patients, such as clinical state of the patients, family's attitude, socioeconomic factors, and ethical and moral aspects. Authors performed clinical study of 71 cases of spina bifida cystica for past 10 years and the results are as follows : 1) Of the 71 cases, 51 cases(71.8%) were myelomeningocele and 20(28.2%) were meningocele. There was no sexual difference. 2) Admissions within 24 hours after birth were only 21 cases(29.5%). 3) Familial tendency and the relation to the number of childbearings were not observed. Majority of the cases were born in the families of low socioeconomic state. 4) Of the 71 cases, 17 cases(23.9%) were associated with hydrocephalus and 3(4.2%) with Arnold-Chiari malformation. 5) 39 cases(76.5%) of myelomeningocele showed definite neurological deficit but all cases of meningocele were quite normal neurologically. 6) Operation was performed in only 24 cases(47.1%) of 51 myelomeningocele.