Pressure injuries are common in children with myelomeningocele: Results from a follow-up programme and register

AIM: To investigate the occurrence of pressure injuries (PIs) in children with myelomeningocele (MMC) and to investigate the association between PIs and orthoses use by disability-specific variables.

METHODS: Population-based registry study including participants in the Swedish multidisciplinary follow-up programme for MMC. Risks of PIs were investigated by birth cohort, country of birth, sex, type of MMC, muscle function level (MFL), and continence status.

RESULTS: Of 180 participants, 29% had PIs recorded. Of the 132 participants with >1 assessment records, 17.4% reported multiple PI occasions. More assessments increased the likelihood of PIs (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.33, 95% CI 1.15-1.54) and participants born 2015-2018 had a lower OR of PIs than those born 2007-2010 (OR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.01-0.74). Those at MFL I had lower OR of PIs than those at MFL V (OR = 0.06, 95% CI 0.01-0.64). Of the 73 participants with orthoses on the lower extremities, 47% reported skin irritations/injuries in the last 4 weeks; 30% reported that it made them stop using orthoses.

CONCLUSION: Pressure injuries are common even in young children with MMC. Many have recurring skin irritations. Inspecting for PIs should be part of a daily routine and tools to increase compliance are needed.