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Eur J Pediatr Surg 1994; 4: 25-28
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1066149
Original article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Outcome of Fetal Myelomeningocele Brought to Term*

D. B. Shurtleff1 , D. A. Luthy3 , D. A. Nyberg4 , L. A. Mack2
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington State, USA
  • 2Department of Diagnostic Ultrasound and Radiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington State, USA
  • 3Division of Perinatal Medicine, Swedish Medical Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington State, USA
  • 4Department of Ultrasound, Swedish Medical Center, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington State, USA 
* Appreciation for support of this project to the March of Dimes, National Foundation, Steven Largent, Gifts and Bequests to the Birth Defects Clinic, University of Washington and Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
25 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

14 years experience with 354 infants born with myelomeningocele are reviewed in view of prelabor and pre-rupture of amniotic membranes vs vaginal delivery or delivery by cesarian section after labor and rupture of amniotic membrane. The apparent lack of effect of severity of impairment determined by prenatal diagnosis on parental decision to carry their baby to term, the negative effect on motor function of kyphos or congenital kyphoscoliosis, the equivocal effect of breech presentation with or without rupture of amniotic membrances and the beneficial effect of prelabor and prerupture of membrances delivery of selected infants is discussed. The need for further mulitple center, collaborative study to identify the contribution of a number of factors influencing the outcome of fetuses diagnosed as having myelomeningocele is emphasized.

Key words

Myelomeningocele - Spina bifida - Kyphosis - Breech - Cesarean section - Prelabor - Fetus

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