FUNCTIONAL MOTOR OUTCOME IN CHILDREN WITH MYELOMENINGOCELE - CORRELATION WITH ANATOMIC LEVEL ON PRENATAL ULTRASOUND

Fifteen children with prenatally diagnosed myelomeningocele were follo wed for at least three years to determine the relations between prenat al anatomic level visualized on high-resolution ultrasound, radiograph ic level, neuromotor level and functional motor outcome. Prenatal anat omic level accurately predicted neuromotor level and functional motor outcome in 12 of the children and was a better predictor than motor le vel at birth. Clinicians involved in prenatal counseling may use the a natomic level determined on high-resolution ultrasound to discuss moto r prognosis with families.