The role of a nurse in preparing parents for care of myelomeningocele child

Joint Event on 45^th World Congress on Nursing Care & 8^th European Breast Congress

December 11-13, 2017 | Rome, Italy

Renata Bakalarz, Alicja Diak, Mateusz Gaczol, Monika Rogoz, Sylwia Lisowska and Miroslaw Bik Multanowski

Jagiellonian University, Poland Stefan Zeromski Specialist Hospital, Poland

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nurs Res Pract

Abstract :

Statement of the Problem: Congenital malformations of the neural tube result in death or significant disability of the affected child. One of the most serious defects is myelomeningocoele. This is complex, multi-segmental malformation involving spinal cord and spine, the consequence of that is impaired conduction of nerve stimuli. The child does not feel touch, pain nor the warmth in body parts which are connected to the distorted regions of the spinal cord, because the neural pathways are interrupted or undeveloped. Aim: The aim of the study was to show how many challenges and problems await the family in which a child with myelomeningocoele is born. Material & Methods: In the retrospective study conducted in Southern Poland, based on the register of congenital defects, the prevalence of neural tube defects was 0.92-0.94/1000 births. The analysis included all cases of anencephaly, encephalocoele, myelomeningocoele and meningocele. Next the problems with baby care and nursing a child with neural tube defects were analysed, based on interviews with parents of ill children. Results & Conclusions: In the analysed group there were 72 cases of lumbosacral defect and 36 cases of thoracolumbar defect. Hydrocephalus was found in 75% of patients with lumbosacral and in 97% of patients with thoracolumbar malformation. Patients with hydrocephalus were more likely to have intellectual disability. A significant problem is the lack of control over urination, which often leads to urinary tract infections. Proper care and rehabilitation methods will stimulate intellectual development, improve the child's mobility and prevent urinary tract infections.

Biography :

Renata Bakalarz is a Specialist in Neonatal Nursing. She is currently in third year of PhD studies at the Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum Faculty of Health Sciences. She works in the Neonatal Pathology Department in the Stefan �»eromski Specialist Hospital in Krakow.