Long-term outcome of paediatric spinal cord injury

What is it about?

Spinal cord injuries are rare Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are relatively uncommon in children and evidence about long term outcomes is limited. This study was performed to determine frequency of common long term complications in patients sustaining spinal injury in childhood (0 -18 years) and who were followed up at a single dedicated Spinal Injuries Centre in the UK. Complications studied were renal, bowel, musculoskeletal, pressure ulcers and post-traumatic syringomyelia. Long term social outcomes of independence, employment and driving were also assessed. in children.

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Why is it important?

Patients with both complete and incomplete spinal cord injury have minimal neurological recovery. Frequency of bladder, bowel, skin and orthopaedic complications is similar to other published studies. Long term social outcomes are good with 75% patients able to do independent care, 46% could drive and 39% managed employment or higher education. This is a long term retrospective review of average duration of spinal injury of 27 years. This information about neurological recovery and social outcomes will be helpful for counselling and predicting long term outcomes.

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