STUDIES OF THE SCHOOL AGE CHILD WITH MENINGOMYELOCELE: I. PHYSICAL AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT

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Abstract
Fourteen meningomyelocele survivors in the beginning school years underwent physical and neurological examinations; 13 had re-evaluation of renal, orthopedic, and neurosurgical status. General physical status was satisfactory. Six showed eye abnormalities; nine had hydrocephalus to some degree; eight required an ileal conduit; 11 are fully ambulatory. Use of a Degree of Impairment rating system indicated eight with mild to moderate and six with severe physical involvement. This rating scale may be of benefit in studying future management of older children with this defect. All children received psychological evaluation. Eight showed intelligence in the low to high average range. Three are mildly and three moderately retarded. The median I.Q. was 88. Social quotients paralleled I.Q. scores. I.Q. and S.Q. were not related to hydrocephalus, but correlated well with social class. Six patients are in regular school programs while eight attend special classes for physically and /or mentally handicapped. It is concluded that appropriate intervention can enable many children with meningomyelocele to develop satisfactorily and to have the intellectual capacity to master major cognitive and social tasks.

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