Edward O Komolafe1,2, Chiazor Udochukwu Onyia3, Ibironke O Ogunbameru1,2, Oluwamuyiwa A Dada2, Oluwafemi F Owagbemi2, Fred S Ige-Orhionkpaibima2, Oluseun A Olarewaju4, Efosa O Obamwonyi5, Muhammad I Abdullahi6. 1. Department of Surgery, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. 2. Neurosurgery division, Department of Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals' Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. 3. Neurosurgery division, Department of Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals' Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. shalomazor@yahoo.com. 4. Department of Surgery, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria. 5. Department of Orthopaedics, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals' Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. 6. Air Force Hospital, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.
Abstract
PURPOSE: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: Spina bifida occurs frequently in our environment. Low socio-economic status and poor antenatal clinic visits contributes significantly to its occurrence.
PURPOSE: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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION:Spina bifida occurs frequently in our environment. Low socio-economic status and poor antenatal clinic visits contributes significantly to its occurrence.