Using Functional Mobility Scale for Assesment Ambulation and Study of Association of Lesion and Ambulation Level with Kidney Malposition in Spina Bifida

Abstract

Introduction: Functional Mobility Scale (FMS) is a simple assessment tool used for measuring ambulation abilities in children with cerebral palsy. One of the urological problems in spina bifida (SB) is kidney malposition. The aim of the study was to investigate correlation of total score of FMS and Hoffer classification and association of lesion and ambulation level in kidney malposition in children with SB. Methods: Hoffer classification is used to categorise ambulation in patients with SB. Children with SB were rated with FMS. Patients that underwent ultrasound examination were investigated for malposition. Results: In this study 46 children (25 boys,21 girls) with SB were enrolled. Mean age of the patients was 5.1±2.6(2-14) years.31 patients had thoracic and upper lumbar lesion (67.4%),10 had mid-lumbar (21.7%) and 5 had lumbosacral and sacral lesion (10.9%). Total sum of FMS score was calculated for each patient. Mean score of FMS was 5.82(3-17). A significant correlation was found between FMS scores and Hoffer classification (r=0.871,p=0.000),lesion level and FMS scores (r=0.853,p=0.000). There was a statistically significant differences in FMS scores between patients with kidney malposition and patients without kidney malposition (p=0.02). Conclusion: FMS can be used for assessing ambulatory status in children with SB. Patients with upper spinal lesions should be evaluated for renal malposition.