Table 1.
Sensory level in infancy related to disability at the mean age of 35 years in 54 survivors with spina bifida
| Sensory level n = 54 (%) | Below L3 n = 24 | L3-T11 n = 15 | Above T11 n = 12 | Asymmetrical n = 3 | χ2 for trend(1) |
| Severe disability(2) n = 20 (37) | 2 | 6 | 12 | 0 | p < 0.0001 |
| CSF shunt n = 46 (85) | 17 | 15 | 11 | 3 | p < 0.05 |
| IQ < 80 n = 15 (28) | 3 | 4 | 6 | 2 | p = 0.05 |
| Wheelchair n = 38 (70) | 9 | 14 | 12 | 3 | p < 0.0001 |
| Daily care needed n = 20 (37) | 5 | 6 | 9 | 0 | p < 0.05 |
| Lack of achievement(3) n = 27 (50) | 7 | 9 | 10 | 2 | p < 0.01 |
Notes: (1) Patients with lower sensory levels have less disability. Asymmetrical sensory level excluded from the analysis.
(2) Severe disability defined as very poor mobility and incontinent with additional handicaps including low IQ, epilepsy, visual defects (2 blind), severe spinal deformity and pressure sores.
(3) Lack of achievement in terms of living independently, driving a car or working in open employment.