Influence of birth mode on early neurological outcome in infants with myelomeningocele

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether route of birth affects early neurological outcome in infants with myelomeningocele. Study design: In a retrospective cohort study, 95 neonates with myelomeningocele evaluated at the Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre between 1990 and 2006 were reviewed. The effect of delivery mode on early neurological outcome was assessed as the difference between the functional neurological level of the defect and the X-ray level (ΔFAX). Results: Early neurological outcome was better in the vaginally delivered infants (ΔFAX 0.96 ± 2.1) than in those delivered by cesarean section (ΔFAX 0.20 ± 2.5). After correction for confounders, multiple regression analysis demonstrated that vaginal delivery was associated with significantly better early neurological outcome as compared to cesarean section (β = 1.21; 95% CI 0.16; 2.27; p = 0.03) for infants in vertex and breech position combined. Subgroup analysis revealed a non-significant trend towards better outcome after vaginal delivery that was more pronounced in infants in breech position than in vertex position. Conclusion: In infants with myelomeningocele, born in either vertex or breech position, there is no clinical evidence that early neurological outcome is improved by cesarean section.