Can Dynamic Ultrasonography Replace Urodynamics in Follow-up of Patients With Myelomeningocele
Neurogenic BladderMyelomeningocelePatients with neurogenic bladder need periodic evaluation with urodynamic study, a invasive and uncomfortable procedure. Aim: To evaluate the accuracy of dynamic ultrasonography as a feasible and noninvasive alternative diagnostic method to identify detrusor overactivity in patients with neurogenic bladder
In Utero Repair of Myelomeningocele: Atosiban Versus Terbutaline
MyelomeningoceleTerbutaline Adverse Reaction1 moreMyelomeningocele is a malformation with high incidence, and it consists in a neural tube defect. Fetal intrauterine surgery is an alternative for correction, and it improves the prognosis of the fetus, but has an increased risk of maternal complications and premature labor, as it can occur due to uterine stimulation. It is therefore essential that tocolysis is performed before, during and after surgery, and the most commonly used tocolytics are terbutaline and atosiban. Terbutaline has no specificity and may have several adverse effects such as maternal acidosis.
Fetal Surgery Interview Study: Parental Perceptions of Fetal Surgery
Fetal SurgeryMyelomeningocele1 moreOpen maternal-fetal surgery is currently used on fetuses with myelomeningocele (MMC). Fetoscopic or minimal access fetal surgery is also being used to treat fetuses with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Following accurate diagnosis of a congenital malformation such as MMC or CDH, prospective parents face a range of uncertainties regarding the future of their unborn child, and the options provided require major ethical considerations. In the situation under study, termination of pregnancy may be for some parents an alternative option to expectant prenatal management. Fetal therapy provides a tantalising third option for some, where procedures are undertaken to reduce the likelihood of a more complicated neonatal course, potentially improving long term outcome, but at risk of amniotic fluid leakage, infection and most importantly very preterm delivery, itself associated with significant neonatal mortality and morbidity and long-term consequences. Balancing these competing risks is challenging. For an intervention to be effective it also needs to be acceptable to women and their families. "Acceptability" can be defined as a multi-faceted construct that reflects the extent to which people delivering or receiving a healthcare intervention consider it to be appropriate, based on anticipated or experienced cognitive and emotional responses to the intervention. With this study it is the aim to assess how women (and their partners) perceive the acceptability of a fetal surgical intervention for MMC and CDH. Participants will be asked to share their thoughts, views, feelings and experiences with regards to the decision to participate in fetal surgery. Data are collected by the use of in-depth face-to-face interviews. In-depth interviews are used to understand the participant's perspectives and perceptions of a situation they are in. It explicitly includes participants interpretation and understanding of an event The interviews will be held in two or three moments in time (for parents opting for fetal surgery, there will be one additional interview, after the intervention while admitted in hospital): after counselling for options, but before eventual intervention; for intervention group shortly after the intervention, and 12 weeks after birth of the baby, or termination of pregnancy.
Brain Function and White Matter Changes in Congenital, Acute and Chronic Spinal Cord Lesions
ParaplegiaSpinal1 moreThe purpose of this study is to use functional MRI (fMRI) and magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to investigate brain activation and white matter changes in patients with congenital (birth defect of the spinal column), acute and chronic complete spinal cord lesions. The findings of this study may provide a basis to better understand the pathomechanisms underlying the dynamic neurofunctional changes following a spinal cord lesions in man. This understanding is important for the improvement of existing therapies and for the development of new therapeutic approaches.
Effect of Botulinum Toxin in Neurogenic Bladders in Children With Myelomeningocele
MyelomeningoceleBladder1 moreThe purpose of this study is to examine how injection of botulinum toxin in the bladder affects bladder function. The trial is carried out in children born with malformation of the spinal cord and subsequent overactive bladders. The purpose of treating the bladder (with different drugs) is to prevent damage to the kidneys and renal function. The aim of this study is to compare a conventionally used drug (oxybutynin) with botulinum toxin. The hypothesis of the study is that botulinum toxin is equal to oxybutynin in the treatment of overactive bladder.
Fetoscopic Open Spina Bifida Repair Using the SAFER Technique
Open Spina BifidaMyelomeningocele3 moreChildren submitted to fetoscopic in utero myelomeningocele repair using the SAFER (Skin-over-biocellulose for Anternatal FEtoscopic Repair) technique will evaluate at 30 months or more, regarding ambulation, neurodevelopment, urinary and fecal status.
Daily Physical Activity in Myelomeningocele
Physical ActivityObesity is getting more common and challenging to treat in children and adolescents with myelomeningocele. Therefore, it is becoming more important to determine daily physical activity in these patients. Daily walking performance and average steps per day in patients with low lumbar and sacral level myelomeningocele are shown to not differ from healthy controls. Step counts can not reflect all torsional accelerations associated with daily living activities. Omnidirectional accelerometers provide all types of body movement outputs and give detailed parameters of physical activity level and energy expenditure. There is no data about energy expenditure and physical activity level of the patients with myelomeningocele in daily routine. This study aims to quantify energy expenditure and physical activity of children and adolescents with low lumbar and sacral level myelomeningocele.
Fetal Myelomeningocele
MyelomeningoceleThis is a chart review of all patients who have underwent open prenatal repair of fetal myelomeningocele. Although prenatal repair is associated with improved neurologic outcomes and a decreased need for cerebrospinal fluid shunting after birth, one of the major risks is preterm delivery. This study is intended to identify maternal, fetal or intraoperative risk factors associated with preterm delivery.
Reliability of the Melbourne Assessment
Cerebral PalsyStroke3 moreThe aim of the study is to investigate the reliability of the Melbourne Assessment.
Cuff Pressure in Infants
MyelomeningoceleProne PositionThe changes in the cuff pressure in the absence of nitrous oxide are less clear.In the current study, we aim to determine the changes in cuff pressure over time in infants undergoing myelomeningocele repair in prone position under general anesthesia in the absence of N2O.