{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: The pattern, peculiarities, and management challenges of spina bifida in a teaching hospital in Southwest Nigeria.
{Author}: Komolafe EO;Onyia CU;Ogunbameru IO;Dada OA;Owagbemi OF;Ige-Orhionkpaibima FS;Olarewaju OA;Obamwonyi EO;Abdullahi MI;
{Journal}: Childs Nerv Syst
{Volume}: 34
{Issue}: 2
{Year}: 02 2018
{Factor}: 1.532
{DOI}: 10.1007/s00381-017-3614-8
{Abstract}: Spina bifida is a common congenital anomaly of the nervous system. It is frequently associated with significant morbidity and sometimes mortality in affected children. In this paper, we review the clinico-epidemiological pattern, peculiarities, and therapeutic challenges of this condition in our practice setting.<BR>This is a retrospective study of all cases of spina bifida managed from July 2000 to March 2016 at a tertiary health facility located in the southwest region of Nigeria. Relevant information was retrieved from the medical records. The data was collected using a pro forma and analyzed with SPSS version 22.<BR>Data from 148 patients was reviewed and analyzed. There were 78 males and 70 females. Only 5.8% of these children were delivered at the health institution. A fifth (20%) of the patients were first born of their mothers. The mean maternal age was 29 years. Few (10.1%) mothers use folate medication prior to conception and only 58% of the mothers use folate during antenatal care. Mean duration of pregnancy was 38 weeks. The most common anatomical site was lumbosacral region (74.3%) while the most common pathology was myelomeningocele 80.4%. Mean age at surgery was 88.68 h. Mean duration of surgery was 92.8 min. Mean follow-up duration was 46.8 weeks. As many as 59% of the patients had some neurologic improvement noticed during follow-up clinic visits.<BR>Spina bifida occurs frequently in our environment. Low socio-economic status and poor antenatal clinic visits contributes significantly to its occurrence.