| Study |
Frequency, Details |
Brain Ultrasounds
(Ultrasound Brain FOR) |
- For prenatal closure:
- On admission then as needed.
- Should consider one before discharge.
- If less than 32 weeks, may consider weekly.
- For postnatal closure:
- On admission, then weekly.
- May not need weekly after shunt has been placed.
- Head ultrasound documents ventricle size and serves as a baseline after birth. US for comparison may be useful to outside providers should the infant develop signs of hydrocephalus.
|
MRI
Brain and Spine without Contrast |
- Order prior to discharge
- Sedation may be associated with:
- Prolonged stay
- Poor feeding
- Temperature instability
- A's & B's
- Two separate studies scheduled at the same time
- MRI brain
- MRI complete spine
- Type "Fast MRI, Myelo series" in order comments
- Immobilizer Use Requires:
- No sedation
- Consult Sedation Team to approve immobilizer
- Infant on full feeds, free from A's & B's
- Infants with brief A's & B's requiring no intervention require NICU RN to stay during the study
- If unable to use immobilizer:
- Sedation required - Consult Sedation Team
- Combine Brain and Spine studies
|
RBUS
Renal Bladder Ultrasound |
- Perform on DOL 2-3 for prenatal closure
- Perform on POD 2-3 for postnatal closure
- Additional studies if clinically indicated
- Goal
-
Capture infants with spinal shock who have a distended bladder despite a good urine output
|
| Video Urodynamic Study (VUDS) |
- All Infants — Perform at 2-3 months of age
- CHOP follow-up. Schedule with one of the following:
- Dr. Zderic
- Dr. Weiss
- Dr. Long
- Dr. Van Batavia
- Dr. Fischer
- Long distance follow-up: Outside Spina Bifida program
- A urodynamic study evaluates:
- Bladder capacity
- Bladder pressure during filling and voiding
- Sphincter between the bladder and the urethra
- Infant's voiding pattern
|