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Spinal cord injury in pediatric age in Spain. Reality of a national reference center
Sagrario Pérez-de la Cruz1, Veronica Cimolin, Angel Gil-Agudo
1Depatment of Nursery, Physiotherapy and Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad de Almeria, Carretera de Sacramento s/n. La Cañada De San Urbano, Almería, 04120, Spain, spd205@ual.es.
Insights
Pediatric spinal cord injury (SCI) is rare, with most ambulant children in Spain experiencing congenital or traumatic injuries. While many can walk independently, ongoing care presents a significant challenge.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric rehabilitation
- Spinal cord injury research
- Biomechanics in pediatric care
Background:
- Limited research exists on the specific characteristics and walking abilities of ambulant children with spinal cord injury (SCI).
- Understanding these factors is crucial for developing targeted interventions and support systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence and key characteristics of ambulant children with SCI.
- To assess the walking ability and functional independence of pediatric SCI patients.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study was conducted on pediatric outpatients (≤18 years) capable of walking independently.
- Data were collected from January 2006 to December 2013 at the National Spinal Cord Injury Hospital in Toledo, Spain.
Main Results:
- Forty-eight pediatric patients (mean age 12 years) with SCI were included.
- Common etiologies included congenital (33.33%) and traumatic (29.16%) injuries, with varying injury levels.
- A majority (60.4%) did not require walking aids, indicated by a mean Barthel Index of 82.61 and a mean Functional Independence Measure (FIM) locomotion score of 6.4.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric SCI incidence is low, but its management poses personal and social challenges.
- Findings provide valuable insights into the profile of ambulant children with SCI in Spain.
- Further research and improved care provision are essential for this population.
Unlabelled:
The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and the main characteristics of ambulant children with spinal cord injury (SCI) treated at the Unit of Biomechanics and Technical Assistance, at the National Spinal Cord Injury Hospital in Toledo, Spain. To date, there are no detailed studies on the effects of this disease in children regarding their walking ability.
Material And Methods:
A retrospective study was performed including all patients attending the unit between January 2006 and December 2013, who were aged 18 years or younger and who were outpatients able to walk independently for at least 10 m, with or without technical aids.
Results:
Forty-eight patients were included in this study (25 males and 23 females) aged between 2 and 18 years (mean age, 12 ± 2.31 years). The etiology of SCI ranged between congenital (33.33%), traumatic (29.16%), and neoplastic (8.33%), and the level of injury varied between cervical (31.25%), lumbar (29.16%), a non-spinal origin (20.83%), dorsal (16.66%), and sacral (2.08%). The mean score on the Barthel Index was 82.61, the mean value of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) locomotion score was 6.4, and 29 patients did not require the use of walking aids (WISCI 20).
Conclusion:
The findings of this study contribute to the knowledge regarding the situation of children with SCI in Spain. The incidence of pediatric SCI is very low; however, the provision of care remains a personal and social challenge.
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