Abstract General Information

Title

MENTAL HEALTH OF PERSONS WITH SPINA BIFIDA – A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Introduction and objective

Spina bifida (SB) is a developmental malformation of the spinal cord that leads, in many cases, to multiple medical complications. As associated mental health problems have not been studied in detail, the aim of this study is to systematically review psychological and cognitive symptoms and disorders in persons with SB.

Method

A systematic literature search on SB and mental health was conducted in multiple databases up to July 2023, including PubMed and Embase. A query was generated and resulting hits were exported and screened by one screener and randomly checked by a second screener. Results were then extracted and analyzed.

Results

Preliminary results show that children and adolescents with SB have higher rates of: attention, executive function and academic problems; intellectual disability; ADHD; anxiety disorders. In adults, anxiety, depressive, somatoform and fatigue symptoms and disorders persist, especially when affected by lower urinary tract disorders.

Conclusion

Mental health problems should be assessed in patients with SB. Counselling and treatment should be offered when indicated. Cognitive and neuropsychological assessment can be relevant for planning optimal schooling and rehabilitation.