Table 2.

Search strategy used

Bone mineral density	Articles
(‘Spinal Dysraphism’[Mesh] OR ‘Meningomyelocele’[Mesh]) AND ‘Bone Density’[Mesh]	14 records identified 6 studies excluded 2, BMD focusing, but not available (Pluskiewicz, 2004; Tuckerman, 2002) 1, Adult study (Valtonen, 2006) 1, Case reports (Asirdizer, 2005) 1, Review articles (Mingin, 2004) 1, Medical intervention (Quan, 2003)	8 records identified that met all eligibility requirements: (Szalay, 2010; Okurowska-Zawada, 2009; Apkon, 2009; Ausili, 2008; Boylu, 2006; Mingin, 2002; Quan, 1998; Koch, 1992)
Spina bifida OR Myelomeningocele AND Bone density (‘spinal dysraphism’[MeSH Terms] OR (‘spinal’[All Fields] AND ‘dysraphism’[All Fields]) OR ‘spinal dysraphism’[All Fields] OR (‘spina’[All Fields] AND ‘bifida’[All Fields]) OR ‘spina bifida’[All Fields]) OR (‘meningomyelocele’[MeSH Terms] OR ‘meningomyelocele’[All Fields] OR ‘myelomeningocele’[All Fields]) AND (‘bone density’[MeSH Terms] OR (‘bone’[All Fields] AND ‘density’[All Fields]) OR ‘bone density’[All Fields])	25 records identified 15 records excluded 2, BMD focusing, but not available (Pluskiewicz, 2004; Tuckerman, 2002) 3, Non-English articles (Funk, 2011; Bellotti, 2009; Torbus, 2002) 2, Case reports (Miyano, 2009; Asirdizer, 2005) 1, Low BMD not associated with SB (Hafez, 2003) 1, Adult study (Valtonen, 2006) 1, Review articles (Mingin, 2004) 1, Medical intervention (Quan, 2003) 4, Other subject (Hermann-Kleiter, 2009; Semler, 2007; Patel, 1987; Fulford, 1975)	10 records identified that met all eligibility requirements: (Taskinen, 2007; Rosenstein, 1987) and 8 were duplicate: (Szalay, 2010; Okurowska-Zawada, 2009; Apkon, 2009; Ausili, 2008; Boylu, 2006; Mingin, 2002; Quan, 1998; Koch, 1992)
	Total: 25 records identified	10 records identified that met all eligibility requirements