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Bowel continence for the child with a neurogenic bowel
Insights
This study details a bowel management program for children with neurogenic bowels, achieving continence in about 75% of patients over age 5. The approach is tailored to each child
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Myelomeningocele often results in neurogenic bowel dysfunction, impacting children's quality of life.
- Establishing effective bowel management is crucial for continence and social integration in affected children.
Abstract:
For more than 10 years, the Alfred I. duPont Institute's Spinal Dysfunction Clinic in Wilmington, DE, has helped families and their children with myelomeningocele and neurogenic bowels to establish workable, acceptable, physiologically sound bowel programs. The basic bowel management program at the Alfred I. duPont Institute is described here, as is a program by which a child with a neurogenic bowel can obtain continence. The program is based on the child's developmental level, physiological abilities, and any necessary pharmacologic intervention. The program has enabled approximately 75% of its child patients over age 5 with neurogenic bowel to be continent of stool.