Abstract

GAIVA, Maria Aparecida Munhoz; CORREA, Emanuelle Righetto  and  SANTO, Elisete Ap. Rubira do Espírito. Clinical and epidemiological profile of children and adolescents who live with spina bifida. Rev. bras. crescimento desenvolv. hum. [online]. 2011, vol.21, n.1, pp. 99-110. ISSN 0104-1282.

The objective is clinical and epidemiological profile of children and adolescents who live with spina bifida. It is a descriptive study, cross-sectional, formed by 41 children and adolescents between zero and twenty years of age. The data collection was carried out from January to May, 2006, by applying a form. The results reveal that 32 (78%) children and adolescents had myelomeningocele, 22 (54%) were males; 32 (78%) were born by cesarean section; 29 (71%) were term-born children, 31 (77%) were born with an adequate weight. The neurogenic bladder, the hydrocephalus, the congenital clubfeet and the neurogenic intestine were the most common complications among the population studied. The majority, 31 (76%) families had a monthly income of up to three minimum salaries; 32 (78%) mothers stated that their pregnancies were not planned and 33 (80%) mothers declared that they had not used folic acid in the first months of pregnancy. The study indicates a need for greater investments by the governmental instances, considering that this is a malformation that can be prevented and that measures must be taken in the Basic Healthcare Network.

Keywords : congenital anomalies; spinal dysrafism; neural tube defects; disabled children; nursing care.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )