Myelomeningocele in Slovenia: An 18-Year National Cohort Study.
Nearly half of Slovenian myelomeningocele patients were wheelchair-dependent and paraplegic long-term.
Myelomeningocele in Slovenia: An 18-Year National Cohort Study.
Myelomeningocele (myelomeningocele) is a severe neural tube defect resulting from primary neurulation failure.
This study evaluates long-term clinical and functional outcomes within a complete national cohort in Slovenia.
Were managed via a centralized, standardized multidisciplinary program.
Almost half of patients could not walk and used wheelchairs during follow-up.
All underwent anatomical closure within 24 h of birth.
Hydrocephalus developed in 71.8% ( n = 23), with 65.6% requiring ventriculoperitoneal shunting.
Neurogenic bladder dysfunction occurred in 87.5%.
Subgroup analysis demonstrated that thoracolumbar lesions were significantly associated with lower ambulation rates and higher shunt dependency compared to lumbosacral lesions ( p < 0.05).
This study represents the first comprehensive national analysis of myelomeningocele outcomes in Slovenia.
Despite the relatively small number of patients, complete national coverage and centralized multidisciplinary management provide a unique overview of long-term outcomes.