Prenatal spinal evaluation and functional outcome of patients born with myelomeningocele: information for improved prenatal counselling and outcome prediction.

OBJECTIVE: Prenatal ultrasonography can localize the level of the spinal cord malformation, allowing prediction of the potential postnatal neurological deficit and functional prognosis.
METHODS: This study has two evaluations: (a) a retrospective prenatal review of 26 fetuses with spinal dysraphism (1987-1991), and (b) a follow-up descriptive study of patients (1971-1981) who underwent closure of the spinal lesion and ventricular shunting in the neonatal period.
RESULTS: Prenatal ultrasound evaluation enabled the accurate definition of the last intact vertebral level which allows separation of fetuses into three functional groups (last intact level L2, L3-4, L5-sacral). Patterns of ambulation, urinary and bowel continence, and school performance vary according to level of spinal lesion and the neurological deficit. The need for ventricular shunts, the incidence of other spinal malformations and surgical interventions did not vary with the level of the spinal lesion.
CONCLUSIONS: The functional outcome for patients with myelomeningocele is variable; however, distinct patterns emerge based on the level of spinal dysraphism and the resultant neurological deficit. By relating the level of the fetal spinal lesion to outcome data, more precise functional prognoses can be given to families.