This article is part of the supplement: 49th Annual Meeting of the Society for Research into Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida .

Oral presentation

Bridging health care gaps for new survivors – a total population study of young persons with MMC

Sven Mattsson , Eva Astrom, Margareta Dahl, Bo Ericsson, Ingrid Olsson, Maggie Wendelius and Lena Westb

Dept of Pediatrics, University Hospital, SE 581 85 Linköping, Sweden

author email corresponding author email

from 49th Annual Meeting of the Society for Research into Hydrocephalus and Spina Bifida
Barcelona, Spain. 29 June – 2 July 2005

Cerebrospinal Fluid Research 2005, 2(Suppl 1):S10doi:10.1186/1743-8454-2-S1-S10

Published:

30 December 2005

Background

Since the number of newborns with myelomeningocele (MMC) is decreasing a national network of neuropaediatricians with long experience of MMC has been founded in Sweden. Our first task was to identify the areas of medical concern in adolescents with MMC.

Materials and methods

A total national population study has been performed. The first analysis concerns those born 1986 – 89 and is based on review of medical records.

Results

175 adolescents born 1986–89 were living in Sweden on July 1^st 2004, 86 females and 89 males. Their special medical characteristics are presented in Table I. Single symptoms and signs specifically/not specifically related to the MMC were recorded but not presented here.

Conclusion

In Sweden approximately 40 adolescents with MMC will yearly reach adulthood the next decennium. A majority of them will have medical problems with need for a multidisciplinary team approach in order to supply the best care in adulthood.

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