Walking ability in spina bifida patients: a model for predicting future ambulatory status based on sitting balance and motor level.

Two-hundred six patients with spina bifida were followed from birth to an average age of 115 months. We characterized the population in terms of factors which we expected to affect walking ability. Two independent predictors of community ambulation were identified through regression analysis: sitting balance and motor level. We used these variables to develop a mathematical method to predict which groups were likely to be independent walkers into adolescence. When we tested this equation against our actual population, we correctly characterized walkers as such in 92% of the cases. Furthermore, when we applied this equation to another random population taken from our clinic, we successfully characterized walkers in 92% of the cases. The strength of these observations allows us to provide guidelines to parents about the likelihood of their children being able to walk independently as adolescents on the basis of motor level and sitting balance, which can be assessed at an early age.