Preterm birth after in-utero spina bifida repair: outcomes and risk factors

Abstract

The Management of Myelomeningocele Study (MOMS) transformed practice by demonstrating that prenatal myelomeningocele (MMC) repair lowers the risk of death or shunt (ventriculoperitoneal diversion or endoscopic third ventriculostomy) procedures by 12 months of age (primary outcomes) compared to postnatal repair. Preterm birth (PTB) remains a major complication of in-utero spina bifida repair. The objective of our study was to correlate gestational age (GA) at delivery with the primary outcomes and assess the associated risk factors impact on the former findings.