The impact of the pandemic on physical and functional disabilities in children and adolescents with spina bifida.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective and cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to carry out telemonitoring to identify the impact of the pandemic on physical and functional disabilities in children and adolescents with SB, as reported by their caregivers, and to investigate adherence to a teleservice. SETTING: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMRP-USP). METHODS: Retrospective and cross-sectional study. Fifty-three patients with SB (mean age 12.0 (4.0) years; 23 males) participated in the telemonitoring. A questionnaire - 'Health management, health conditions, rehabilitation, interest in teleservice, and the well-being of the main caregiver' - investigated the clinical impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Only three caregivers participated in the teleservice (video call). RESULTS: According to telemonitoring, 62% of the patients discontinued physiotherapy sessions, and 69% reported needing adjustments in locomotion devices. The main complaints were muscle weakness and pain. CONCLUSION: We monitored general health and identified demands related to physical rehabilitation using telemonitoring in 42.4% of children and adolescents with SB monitored at the HCFMRP-USP. Telemonitoring and teleservice may be methods used for monitoring health conditions in patients with SB.

Current Trends for Children With Spina Bifida: A Survey of Pediatric Physical Therapists.

PURPOSE: To describe contemporary physical therapy practice and management of children with spina bifida (SB) in the context of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional electronic survey was sent to US pediatric physical therapy clinics and posted in the American Physical Therapy Association Pediatrics newsletter. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Codes were compared, refined, and condensed into categories. RESULTS: A total of 163 participants were included. Most assessments evaluated the ICF Activity component. Most frequently reported ICF components: impairments = decreased strength (17.9%), activity limitations = limited walking (22.5%), and participation restrictions = restricted socializing/playing with peers or siblings (22.6%). The most prevalent intervention was strength training. CONCLUSIONS: Physical therapists (PTs) in the United States are performing assessments and interventions supported by available evidence; however, knowledge translation and more research are needed to support best practices in PT management of children with SB.

Utilizing an Environmental Framework to Explore the Acceptability of a Health Promotion Program for Youth with Disabilities.

This study explored the acceptability of Children and Teens in Charge of their Health (CATCH), a program for children with spina bifida or cerebral palsy to enhance their physical activity and diet. Qualitative interviews were conducted with children (n = 6) and their parents (n = 6) who participated in CATCH. Analysis used an environmental systems framework. Microsystem factors impacting acceptability of the program were: Children's motivations for change, their age, and their physical health. Mesosystem factors were: Use of virtual coaching and the relationship between coach and child. Macrosystem factors (e.g. Covid-19), did not impact acceptability, but affected some goal attainment strategies. CATCH was broadly acceptable to children and parents and shows promise as a health promotion program tailored to children with disabilities. An environmental systems framework can potentially help other health promotion programs enhance their acceptability and success.

Acquired amputations in patients with spina bifida.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess if the incidence of lower extremity (LE) pressure injuries resulting in amputations was more frequent in ambulatory versus non-ambulatory patients with spina bifida. METHODS: The medical records of all patients at a large pediatric rehabilitation hospital who had spina bifida and a history of a pressure injury between 1997-2018 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In this study, 112 patients with spina bifida developed LE pressure injuries, 53 patients walked with braces and/or an assistive device, and 59 patients used a wheelchair for mobility. Of the 11 patients who had amputations, 10 walked and 1 did not walk prior to their amputation. Ambulatory patients with LE pressure injuries had a 19% chance (10 out of 53 patients) of requiring an amputation. Non-ambulatory patients with a LE pressure injury had only a 2% chance (1 out of 59 patients) of requiring an amputation. Ambulatory patients with LE pressure injuries were at a much higher risk of requiring an amputation than patients who did not walk (p-value of < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Patients with spina bifida who are ambulatory and develop a pressure injury have a high risk of ultimately needing an amputation and should be monitored and treated aggressively.

Spina bifida care, education, and research: A multidisciplinary community in a global context.

Worldwide neural tube defects, such as encephalocele and spina bifida (SB), remain a substantial cause of the global burden of disease; and in the US, Latinos consistently have a higher birth prevalence of SB compared with other ethnic groups. From limited access and fragmented care, to scarcely available adult services, many are the challenges that besiege those living with SB. Thus, to provide inclusion and active involvement of parents of children and adults with SB from all communities, innovative approaches will be required, such as community-based participatory research and culturally competent learning collaboratives. Promisingly, the Spina Bifida Community-Centered Research Agenda was developed by the community of people living with SB through the Spina Bifida Association (SBA). Additionally, the SBA will host the Fourth World Congress on Spina Bifida Research and Care in March of 2023. Just as the SBA is clearly committed to this population, the Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine will continue to serve as a catalyst for SB care, education, and research across the SB population in a global context.

Caring for the Child with Spina Bifida.

Care for a child with spina bifida can be complex, requiring multiple specialists. Neurosurgical care centers around the initial closure or repair of the spinal defect, followed by management of hydrocephalus, symptoms of the Chiari 2 malformation, and tethered cord. This article reviews definitions and types of spina bifida, considerations surrounding the initial treatment, including fetal surgery, and the ongoing neurosurgical management of common comorbid conditions. The role of interdisciplinary care is stressed, as well as the importance of coordinated transition to adult care at an appropriate age and developmental stage.

Quality of life: Guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida.

Quality of Life (QOL) and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) are important concepts across the life span for those with spina bifida (SB). This article discusses the SB Quality of Life Healthcare Guidelines from the 2018 Spina Bifida Association's Fourth Edition of the Guidelines for the Care of People with Spina Bifida. The focus of these QOL Guidelines was to summarize the evidence and expert opinions on how to mitigate factors that negatively impact QOL/HRQOL or enhance the factors positively related to QOL/HRQOL, the measurement of QOL/HRQOL and the gaps that need to be addressed in future research.

Women's health guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida.

Women and girls with spina bifida have specific health care concerns. It is essential that they, and their health care providers have access to information to help them make healthy choices throughout their lifespan. This article aims to address key aspects of health pertinent to girls and women with spina bifida and outlines the SB Women's Health Guidelines for the Care of People with Spina Bifida. Further research into this area is needed.

Central precocious puberty in spina bifida children: Guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida.

Children with spina bifida are at greater risk of developing central precocious puberty (CPP) compared to others. Therefore, early recognition and timely referral for further evaluation by a pediatric endocrinologist allows appropriate management that reduces the impact of CPP. This article discusses the diagnosis and management of CPP in children with spina bifida. This guideline was developed for SB Transition Healthcare Guidelines from the 2018 Spina Bifida Association's Fourth Edition of the Guidelines for the Care of People with Spina Bifida.

Nutrition, metabolic syndrome, and obesity: Guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida.

Nutritional challenges and a lack of activity can lead to health problems across the lifespan for people with spina bifida. Children and adults with spina bifida are also at greater risk of being classified as overweight or obese compared to their peers without the condition. Therefore, early recognition of nutrition problems, weight management counseling, and timely referrals for evaluation and management of diet and activity can help those with spina bifida and their families achieve a healthy lifestyle. This article details the development of the Nutrition, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity Guidelines, which are part of the 2018 Spina Bifida Association's Fourth Edition of the Guidelines for the Care of People with Spina Bifida. It discusses the identification and management of poor nutrition and prevention of obesity for children, adolescents, and adults with spina bifida and highlights areas requiring further research.

Mobility guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida.

The Spina Bifida Association (SBA) is the organization that represents the needs of the population with spina bifida (SB). They are tasked with advocacy, education, optimizing care, and providing a social voice for those with spina bifida. In response to the tenet of optimizing care they were tasked with developing up to date clinical care guidelines which address health care needs for those impacted by spina bifida throughout their lifespan. This article will discuss the SB Mobility Healthcare Guidelines from the 2018 Spina Bifida Association's Fourth Edition of the Guidelines for the Care of People with Spina Bifida.

Sexual health and education guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida.

Sexual development is not only comprised of the changes to a person's body during puberty; it is a part of social development and should be considered in the context of basic and routine human desires for connectedness and intimacy, beliefs, values and aspirations. As is true for everyone, it is important that individuals with spina bifida have opportunities to acquire developmentally appropriate, relevant and accurate sexual health knowledge. Those with spina bifida need to be able to negotiate sexual desire, intimacy and sexual expression. They also need education about their sexual health and how to limit the negative outcomes of sexual activity related to sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy or sexual coercion, violence, abuse or exploitation. This article discusses the Spina Bifida Sexual Health and Education Healthcare Guidelines from the 2018 Spina Bifida Association's Fourth Edition of the Guidelines for the Care of People with Spina Bifida using the World Health Organization's framing of sexual health and reviews the literature on sexual health and education for individuals with spina bifida.

Health promotion and preventive health care service guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida.

Individuals with Spina Bifida (SB) have unique lifelong medical and social needs. Thus, when considering how to promote health and offer preventive care, providers must adapt general healthcare screening and counseling recommendations to their patients' physical and cognitive impairments along with discerning how to monitor secondary or chronic conditions common to the population. This article provides an update on the health promotion and preventive health care guidelines developed as part of the Spina Bifida Association's fourth edition of the Guidelines for the Care of People with Spina Bifida. The guidelines highlight accommodations needed to promote general preventive health, common secondary/chronic conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, musculoskeletal pain, and considerations for preventing acute care utilization for the SB population throughout the lifespan. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of preventive care interventions in promoting positive health outcomes and mitigating potentially preventable acute care utilization.

Latex allergy guidelines for people with spina bifida.

An estimated 85% of individuals with spina bifida (SB) survive into adulthood, warranting SB-specific transition to adult healthcare guidelines to address the diverse and complex medical, adaptive, and social needs particular to this condition. Latex allergy constitutes one important health concern for this population that requires ongoing and life-long evidence-based management. This article discusses management of latex allergy according to the SB Latex Allergy Healthcare Guidelines from the 2018 Spina Bifida Association's Fourth Edition of the Guidelines for the Care of People with Spina Bifida, reviews current care models in which such latex allergy guidelines can be implemented, and explores further relevant research topics in SB care relative to latex allergy.

Neuropsychological care guidelines for people with spina bifida.

While the neuropsychological profile for individuals with Spina Bifida (SB) can vary, often certain patterns of strengths and weaknesses are evident across the lifespan. Understanding variability related to neural structure, genetics, ethnicity, and the environment is key to understanding individual differences in outcomes and can be vital in planning interventions and tracking progress. This article outlines the SB Guideline for the Neuropsychological Care of People with Spina Bifida from the 2018 Spina Bifida Association's Fourth Edition of the Guidelines for the Care of People with Spina Bifida and acknowledges that further research in SB neurocognitive profiles is warranted.

Family functioning guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida.

Research supports a resilience-disruption model of family functioning in families with a child with spina bifida. Guidelines are warranted to both minimize disruption to the family system and maximize family resilience and adaptation to multiple spina bifida-related and normative stressors. This article discusses the spina bifida family functioning guidelines from the 2018 Spina Bifida Association's Fourth Edition of the Guidelines for the Care of People with Spina Bifida, and reviews evidence-based directions with the intention of helping individuals with spina bifida achieve optimal mental health throughout their lifespan. Guidelines address clinical questions pertaining to the impact of having a child with spina bifida on family functioning, resilience and vulnerability factors, parenting behaviors that may facilitate adaptive child outcomes, and appropriate interventions or approaches to promote family functioning. Gaps in the research and future directions are discussed.

Prenatal counseling: Guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida.

As the diagnosis of Spina Bifida (SB) is often made prenatally, SB-specific prenatal counseling is needed. It is essential to provide information about medical care and lifelong impact of this diagnosis, treatment options available to women carrying fetuses affected, and resources that will assist in the care of individuals with SB. This article outlines the SB Prenatal Counseling Guidelines from the 2018 Spina Bifida Association's Fourth Edition of the Guidelines for the Care of People with Spina Bifida and acknowledges that further research in SB prenatal counseling is warranted.

Physical performance outcome measures used in exercise interventions for adults with childhood-onset disabilities: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: People with childhood-onset disabilities face unique physical and social challenges in adulthood. Exercise interventions may improve physical performance in children, but there is a lack of research on adults. OBJECTIVE: To describe studies that investigate exercise interventions and to evaluate the quality of physical performance outcome measures for adults with childhood-onset disabilities. METHODS: Eligible studies reported on exercise interventions for adults (ages 16+) with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, or acquired brain injuries. Only randomized controlled trials published in English from 2008 to 2019 were included. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PEDro, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched. Two reviewers independently screened studies and abstracted data. RESULTS: This scoping review included 4 trials reporting on cerebral palsy only. Three strength training programs found significant improvements in gait, and one mixed training program found significant improvements in strength and fitness. Only two outcome measures used are valid/reliable for adults (6 Minute Walk Test and Borg-20 Grades). CONCLUSION: Certain interventions may improve physical performance, but there is a lack of research on appropriate exercise interventions and physical performance outcome measures for adults with childhood-onset disabilities. Different exercise interventions should be investigated using larger sample sizes and outcome measures should be standardized.

Integument: Guidelines for the care of people with spina bifida.

PURPOSE: Skin-related issues have a significant impact on health, activities of daily living, and quality of life among people with spina bifida. Data presented by select clinics that participate in the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry reported that 26% of individuals had a history of pressure injuries with 19% having had one in the past year. The spina bifida community lack direct guidelines on prevention of these and other skin related issues. The Integument (skin) Guidelines focus on prevention, not treatment, of existing problems. METHODS: Using a consensus building methodology, the guidelines were written by experts in spina bifida and wound care. RESULTS: The guidelines include age-grouped, evidence-based guidelines written in the context of an understanding of the whole person. They are presented in table format according to the age of the person with spina bifida. CONCLUSION: These guidelines present a standardized approach to prevention of skin-related issues in spina bifida. Discovering what results in successful minimization of skin-related issues with testing of technology or prevention strategies is the next step in protecting this vulnerable population.