Independence in the toilet activity in children and adolescents with myelomeningocele--managing clean intermittent catheterization in a hospital setting. 2009

M Donlau, and T Falkmer
Jobbtorget Linköpings Kommun, Linköping, Sweden. marie.donlau@linkoping.se

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify and describe gross motor, fine motor, executive and time-processing obstacles for independence in children with myelomeningocele who are treated with Clean Intermittent Catheterization and to relate their opinions about their performance in the toilet activity, and their medical records, to the observed outcome. METHODS In a hospital setting, 22 children with myelomeningocele were observed using a structured information form while performing their toilet activity, and tested for time processing ability with the Ka-Tid instrument. RESULTS Only five children were independent, despite the fact that 12 of 22 children were completely satisfied with their toilet activity. Neither the degree of motor impairment, nor sex or age had any significant impact on performing the toilet activity. The ability to remain focused on the toilet activity proved to have no relation to age or learning disabilities. The medical records for the children were only able to classify approximately three quarters correctly with respect to independence. The only measurement that could suggest anything in relation to a maintained focus was time processing ability. CONCLUSIONS The children were unaware of their abilities and limitations. Time processing ability and observations are important factors to assess independence.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007859 Learning Disabilities Conditions characterized by a significant discrepancy between an individual's perceived level of intellect and their ability to acquire new language and other cognitive skills. These may result from organic or psychological conditions. Relatively common subtypes include DYSLEXIA, DYSCALCULIA, and DYSGRAPHIA. Adolescent Learning Disabilities,Adult Learning Disabilities,Child Learning Disabilities,Developmental Academic Disability,Developmental Academic Disorder,Developmental Disabilities of Scholastic Skills,Learning Disabilities, Adolescent,Learning Disabilities, Child,Learning Disorders,Academic Disorder, Developmental,Adult Learning Disorders,Developmental Disorders of Scholastic Skills,Learning Disorders, Adult,Learning Disturbance,Scholastic Skills Development Disorders,Academic Disabilities, Developmental,Academic Disability, Developmental,Academic Disorders, Developmental,Adolescent Learning Disability,Adult Learning Disability,Adult Learning Disorder,Child Learning Disability,Developmental Academic Disabilities,Developmental Academic Disorders,Disabilities, Adolescent Learning,Disabilities, Adult Learning,Disabilities, Child Learning,Disabilities, Developmental Academic,Disabilities, Learning,Disability, Adolescent Learning,Disability, Adult Learning,Disability, Child Learning,Disability, Developmental Academic,Disability, Learning,Disorder, Learning,Disorders, Adult Learning,Disorders, Learning,Disturbance, Learning,Disturbances, Learning,Learning Disabilities, Adult,Learning Disability,Learning Disability, Adolescent,Learning Disability, Adult,Learning Disability, Child,Learning Disorder,Learning Disorder, Adult,Learning Disturbances
D008297 Male Males
D008591 Meningomyelocele Congenital, or rarely acquired, herniation of meningeal and spinal cord tissue through a bony defect in the vertebral column. The majority of these defects occur in the lumbosacral region. Clinical features include PARAPLEGIA, loss of sensation in the lower body, and incontinence. This condition may be associated with the ARNOLD-CHIARI MALFORMATION and HYDROCEPHALUS. (From Joynt, Clinical Neurology, 1992, Ch55, pp35-6) Myelocele,Myelomeningocele,Acquired Meningomyelocele,Myelomeningocele, Acquired,Acquired Meningomyeloceles,Acquired Myelomeningocele,Acquired Myelomeningoceles,Meningomyelocele, Acquired,Meningomyeloceles,Meningomyeloceles, Acquired,Myeloceles,Myelomeningoceles,Myelomeningoceles, Acquired
D009048 Motor Skills Performance of complex motor acts. Motor Skill,Skill, Motor,Skills, Motor
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002652 Child Behavior Any observable response or action of a child from 24 months through 12 years of age. For neonates or children younger than 24 months, INFANT BEHAVIOR is available. Behavior, Child
D005260 Female Females
D006761 Hospitals Institutions with an organized medical staff which provide medical care to patients. Hospital
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006849 Hydrocephalus Excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the cranium which may be associated with dilation of cerebral ventricles, INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION; HEADACHE; lethargy; URINARY INCONTINENCE; and ATAXIA. Communicating Hydrocephalus,Congenital Hydrocephalus,Obstructive Hydrocephalus,Post-Traumatic Hydrocephalus,Aqueductal Stenosis,Cerebral Ventriculomegaly,Fetal Cerebral Ventriculomegaly,Hydrocephalus Ex-Vacuo,Hydrocephaly,Aqueductal Stenoses,Cerebral Ventriculomegalies,Cerebral Ventriculomegalies, Fetal,Cerebral Ventriculomegaly, Fetal,Fetal Cerebral Ventriculomegalies,Hydrocephalus Ex Vacuo,Hydrocephalus Ex-Vacuos,Hydrocephalus, Communicating,Hydrocephalus, Congenital,Hydrocephalus, Obstructive,Hydrocephalus, Post-Traumatic,Post Traumatic Hydrocephalus,Stenoses, Aqueductal,Stenosis, Aqueductal,Ventriculomegalies, Cerebral,Ventriculomegalies, Fetal Cerebral,Ventriculomegaly, Cerebral,Ventriculomegaly, Fetal Cerebral

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