Influence of route of delivery on perinatal outcomes in fetuses with myelomeningocele

The optimal route of delivery of fetuses with myelomeningocele is controversial. The aim of this study is to determine whether route of delivery predisposes to perinatal complications and influences short-term outcomes in patients with myelomeningocele. The authors performed a retrospective review of the medical records of 26 patients with myelomeningocele admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in this hospital from 2001 to 2015. They compared perinatal complications and short-term outcomes of elective cesarean section (n = 21) and vaginal delivery (n = 5) groups. There were no ruptured nor infectious myelomeningoceles cases in either group. No statistically significant difference in ambulation status at two years of age was observed between the two groups. The present data suggest that perinatal complications and short-term outcomes were not associated with route of delivery. Vaginal delivery might be the optimal route of delivery for fetal myelomeningocele if there is no obstetric contraindication.