Causes of death among people with myelomeningocele: A multi-institutional 47-year retrospective study.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

This study aimed to analyze organ system-based causes and non-organ system-based mechanisms of death (COD, MOD) in people with myelomeningocele (MMC), comparing urological to other COD.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of 16 institutions in Canada/United States of non-random convenience sample of people with MMC (born > = 1972) using non-parametric statistics.

Results

Of 293 deaths (89% shunted hydrocephalus), 12% occurred in infancy, 35% in childhood, and 53% in adulthood (documented COD: 74%). For 261 shunted individuals, leading COD were neurological (21%) and pulmonary (17%), and leading MOD were infections (34%, including shunt infections: 4%) and non-infectious shunt malfunctions (14%). For 32 unshunted individuals, leading COD were pulmonary

SUBMITTER: Szymanski KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10789326 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature