Functional investigation in children with spina bifida -- measured by the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability
Po Yi Tsai1, Tsui Fen Yang, Rai Chi Chan
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
Children with spina bifida (SB) show functional deficits, especially in mobility for myelomeningocele (MMC) cases. The Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) effectively assesses functional performance in SB, guiding rehabilitation planning.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Developmental Disabilities
- Clinical Assessment
Background:
- Spina bifida (SB) is a complex congenital condition impacting functional abilities.
- Understanding functional performance is crucial for effective intervention in children with SB.
- Different SB subtypes, myelomeningocele (MMC) and lipomyelomeningocele (LMC), may present with varying functional outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate functional performance in children with spina bifida using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI).
- To compare functional performance between children with myelomeningocele (MMC) and lipomyelomeningocele (LMC).
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI) to assess functional performance.
- Enrolled 26 children with MMC and 37 children with LMC.
- Analyzed PEDI scores in relation to neurological level, mobility, and daily living activities.
Main Results:
- Children with spina bifida scored below non-disabled peers on PEDI, with the MMC group showing lower mobility scores.
- Neurological level, walking ability, intelligence, independence, and bowel function correlated significantly with PEDI scores in the MMC group.
- Children with MMC demonstrated poorer mobility and social function compared to LMC, alongside deficits in bladder and bowel function.
Conclusions:
- The PEDI is a valuable tool for assessing functional performance in children with spina bifida.
- Findings highlight significant functional differences between MMC and LMC, informing targeted interventions.
- This data is essential for developing individualized and comprehensive rehabilitation programs for children with spina bifida.
Object:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional performance in children with spina bifida, using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). A comparison was also made between the functional performance of children with myelomeningocele (MMC) and lipomyelomeningocele (LMC).
Methods And Results:
Twenty-six children with MMC and 37 cases with LMC were enrolled in this study. There was no significant difference in gender, age or method of birth delivery between these two study groups. The normative standard scores of PEDI for children with spina bifida were all below the mean standard scores found in non-disabled children, but still within the average range, with exception of mobility score in the MMC group. Patients' neurological level, walking ability, intelligence, independence in activities of daily living, and bowel function showed significant correlation with the PEDI scores ( P<0.05) in the children with MMC. In comparing these two disease groups, the MMC had higher neurological level, poorer walking ability and poorer bladder and bowel function than did the LMC ( P<.05). The former also had significantly lower PEDI scores in the mobility and social function domains. PEDI provided valuable information regarding overall functional performance in daily life for children with spina bifida.
Conclusion:
This information is extremely important for planning a comprehensive and individualized rehabilitation program.
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