Pressure injuries are common in children with myelomeningocele: Results from a follow-up programme and register

Aim To investigate the occurrence of pressure injuries (PIs) in children with myelomeningocele (MMC) and to investigate the association between PIs and orthoses use by disability-specific variables. Methods Population-based registry study including participants in the Swedish multidisciplinary follow-up programme for MMC. Risks of PIs were investigated by birth cohort, country of birth, sex, type of MMC, muscle function level (MFL), and continence status. Results Of 180 participants, 29% had PIs recorded. Of the 132 participants with >1 assessment records, 17.4% reported multiple PI occasions. More assessments increased the likelihood of PIs (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.33, 95% CI 1.15-1.54) and participants born 2015-2018 had a lower OR of PIs than those born 2007-2010 (OR = 0.08, 95% CI = 0.01-0.74). Those at MFL I had lower OR of PIs than those at MFL V (OR = 0.06, 95% CI 0.01-0.64). Of the 73 participants with orthoses on the lower extremities, 47% reported skin irritations/injuries in the last 4 weeks; 30% reported that it made them stop using orthoses. Conclusion Pressure injuries are common even in young children with MMC. Many have recurring skin irritations. Inspecting for PIs should be part of a daily routine and tools to increase compliance are needed.