Related Experiment Videos
Neonatal fractures in myelomeningocele patients
M J Boytim1, R S Davidson, E Charney
1Department of Orthopedics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.
Insights
Neonatal fractures are a risk for infants with spina bifida, especially those with thoracic or upper lumbar levels and contractures. Careful handling is crucial to prevent these fractures in newborns.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric neurology
Background:
- Neonatal fractures can occur in infants with spina bifida.
- The incidence and risk factors for these fractures are not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To retrospectively review neonatal fractures in patients with spina bifida.
- To identify risk factors associated with neonatal fractures in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of neonatal patients in a spina bifida clinic over a 4-year period.
- Analysis of fracture incidence in relation to neurologic level and contractures.
Main Results:
- Six patients with fractures were identified.
- All fractured patients had thoracic or upper lumbar neurologic levels and significant contractures.
- The risk of fracture for patients with these characteristics was 17%.
Conclusions:
- Infants with spina bifida and thoracic/upper lumbar neurologic levels with contractures have a significant risk of neonatal fracture.
- Increased awareness and careful handling are recommended for these high-risk newborns.
Abstract:
Neonatal fractures in all neonatal patients entering a spina bifida clinic over a 4-year period were reviewed retrospectively. Of six patients with fractures, all had thoracic or upper lumbar neurologic levels and all had significant contractures. The risk of fracture for patients with these two characteristics was 17%. Awareness of the risk of neonatal fracture and care in the handling of these children is stressed.