TABLE 3—
Personal Care, Mobility, and Community Independence of Adolescents and Young Adults With Spina Bifida (n = 348): Patient Data Management System Database, Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, December 2003
| Age Group, y | |||
| 13–17 (n = 178),a no. (%) | ≥ 18 (n = 170),a no. (%) | Total (n = 348),a no. (%) | |
| Personal care independence | |||
| Low | 49 (30) | 36 (23) | 85 (27) |
| Medium | 59 (36) | 67 (43) | 126 (39) |
| High | 57 (35) | 52 (34) | 109 (34) |
| Usual locomotion | |||
| Wheelchair independence outside home | 43 (25) | 60 (36) | 103 (30) |
| Can travel long distances with braces, aids, or wheelchair | 17 (10) | 12 (7) | 29 (9) |
| Uses aids or braces, no wheelchair | 28 (15) | 29 (17) | 57 (17) |
| Complete function without braces or aids | 52 (30) | 27 (16) | 79 (23) |
| Other locomotionb | 35 (20) | 38 (23) | 73 (21) |
| Extent of mobility | |||
| Goes out into neighborhood alone | 51 (35) | 29 (19) | 80 (27) |
| Independent transportation (automobile or public) | 49 (33) | 82 (53) | 131 (44) |
| Limited mobilityc | 47 (32) | 43 (28) | 90 (30) |
| Able to participate in structured activities | |||
| Yes | 53 (30) | 42 (26) | 95 (28) |
| No | 124 (70) | 122 (74) | 246 (72) |
| Able to participate in unstructured activities | |||
| Yes | 69 (39) | 60 (36) | 129 (38) |
| No | 107 (61) | 108 (64) | 215 (63) |
aNumbers may not add up to sample size because of missing data. Percentages in each category are based on reported cases.
bIncludes being carried, scooting or crawling inside the home, wheelchair, gurney, use of braces inside home, and home ambulation only.
cIncludes going out of the house with parent or guardian only and limited to yard or nearby neighborhood alone.