Mielomeningocele and nutrition: a proposal of care protocol

DOI: 10.15343/0104-7809.20112215224

Abstract

Mielomeningocele is the most serious and more common form of bifid thorn, corresponding to nearly 75% of all cases. It is a disorder characterized
by the partial closing of the embryonic neural tube, and it may happen in any region of the marrow.This study aims to describe, by means of
a literature survey, nutritional factors related to mielomeningocele and propose a guide tool for the nutritional exam, identified as a care protocol.Thus,
it isan investigation-action or interventionist bibliographic survey. For doing that, we used the boolean technique, selecting thirteen scientific papers
published in the last five years and tracked in the data bases Lilacs, Bireme and Scielo. Findings were used for the elaboration of an interdisciplinary
protocol for nutritional care that is made up of the following items:identification of the patient and person in charge, socio-economic conditions, clinical
history, perinatal and present food consumption in gestation, conditions of the baby, feeding aspects and anthropometric data on patient. Obesity
and/or overweight, deficits in height and the occurrence of feeding difficulties are data indicated in all the investigations that involve individuals that
present defects in the neural tube. Excess weight may be explained by the loss of the function of the great inferior muscular groups, reducing therefore
the corporal power cost. Prevention with nutritional support with folic acid during gestation is still being evaluated. Based on literature consensus, we
created a protocol having information to be gathered in order to prepare an adequate individual intervention focused on necessities of children having
mielomeningocele (identification of children and adult responsible, socioeconomic conditions, clinical history, food consumption during gestation, perinatal
and current conditions, food facts and anthropometric data) in order to pattern, optimize, qualify and systematize care for correcting nutritional lacks
and allowing patients to live longer having a good quality of life.