Children and Adolescents with Spina Bifida risk of environmental buttocks burns in SW United States
What is it about?
Children and Adolescents with myelomeningocele who live in hot climates and are ambulatory have a risk of developing buttocks burns when they sit down outside in the hot summer months because of their insensate buttocks. They are more likely to need surgery, hospitalization or extensive wound clinic care than others without insensate buttocks skin.
Why is it important?
Children and adolescents with myelomeningocele who are ambulatory and their families who live in hot climates need to be counseled about the risk of buttocks burn and the importance of avoiding sitting on hot surfaces in the summer months of June, July, August and September. Given that many individuals with myelomeningocele have executive function challenges, teachers, coaches and others need to be educated about this issue as well.