title: Does caesarean section delivery improve neurological outcome in open spina bifida?
abstract: The antenatal diagnosis of fetuses with myelomeningocele (MMC) has focused the attention of those involved in the perinatal care on caesarean section delivery as a possible method of preserving neurological function. In this paper 25 infants with MMC were studied, 10 delivered by pre-labour caesarean section (PL C/S), and 15 by other methods. No difference in motor function was observed post natally with 50% of each group having neurological levels below L3. The PL C/S group was more heterogeneous. The feasibility of selecting a group of less impaired fetuses with good in utero leg movements for PL C/S in order to preserve neurological function depends on the ability of fetal USS to predict post natal neurological function. This preliminary report leaves unanswered the question whether C/S delivery improves neurological outcome in selected cases of open spina bifida.
authors.affiliation: Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, N. Ireland.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Beattie
mesh_terms: D002585:Cesarean Section; D005113:Extraction, Obstetrical; D005260:Female; D005324:Fetal Movement / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D016137:Spina Bifida Cystica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000503:physiopathology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal