The outcome of the disease depends critically upon the type of lesion, the timing of any surgical intervention, and the motivation of the child and / or their parents.
About one third of children whose myelomeningocoele was not operated upon early will survive to enter school 5 years later. About one-third of survivors will be wheelchair bound, or have their mobility severely constrained. About 85% will be incontinent of urine, and by the age of 16, will have severely compromised upper renal tract function. Their IQ may be borderline or subnormal.
Patients who undergo early surgery, may have a near normal life expectancy.
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