title: Single centre experience: long term outcomes in spina bifida patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine our single centre experience of long term renal function and mortality rates of our cohort of spina bifida patients born since 1970.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected a prospective database and included all patients born with spina bifida between 1970 and 2011 managed by our centre. Data we collected included the glomerular filtration rates, results of renal tract imaging, management strategies and mortalities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 160 patients identified, 120 were included for analysis with a mean age of 20 years. In our cohort 48% (58/120) had normal renal function and only 1.6% (2/120) had severe renal impairment or end stage renal failure. There was a mortality rate of 4.4% and there were no deaths from renal failure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Spina bifida patients have been reported to have high mortality rates and high morbidity secondary to renal failure. Historical data does not appear to reflect current advancements and we would therefore be more optimistic when counselling families about long term survival into adulthood.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Urology, St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, Tooting, London SW17 0QT, UK. georgina@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Georgina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malakounides
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Feilim
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: Su-Anna
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Boddy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Mortality; Neuropathic; Renal failure; Spina bifida