PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Pippa Oakeshott AU - Gillian M Hunt AU - Alison Poulton AU - Fiona Reid TI - Open spina bifida: birth findings predict long-term outcome AID - 10.1136/archdischild-2011-300624 DP - 2012 May 01 TA - Archives of Disease in Childhood PG - 474--476 VI - 97 IP - 5 4099 - http://adc.bmj.com/content/97/5/474.short 4100 - http://adc.bmj.com/content/97/5/474.full SO - Arch Dis Child2012 May 01; 97 AB - Objectives To investigate if lifestyle in spina bifida at age 40±3 years, relates to neurological deficit in infancy or cerebrospinal fluid shunt history. Design Prospective cohort study with 100% ascertainment. Setting Community. Participants 117 consecutive cases of open spina bifida whose backs were closed non-selectively at birth. In 2007, all 46 (39%) survivors and/or carers were surveyed by postal questionnaires and telephone interviews. Results Of the 38 children with absent sensation only below the knee (sensory level below L3), 23 (61%) survived of whom 14 (61%) were community walkers and only 5 (22%) needed daily care. But in 42 babies with absent sensation up to the umbilicus (sensory level above T11) only seven (17%) survived, none could walk and five (71%) needed daily care. Survivors with no shunt revisions were more likely to walk, live independently and drive a car. Conclusion Mobility and the need for care at 40 can be predicted from the neurological deficit.