Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients With Spina Bifida in Texas by Patient Age

Introduction: Spina bifida (SB) occurs in 3.5/10,000 live births and is associated with significant long-term neurologic and urologic morbidity. We explored the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric patients with SB and the facilities that treat them in Texas. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed a statewide hospital inpatient discharge database (2013-2021) to identify patients aged <18 y with SB using International Classification of Diseases 9/10 codes. Patients transferred to outside hospitals were excluded to avoid double-counting. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were performed. Results: Seven thousand five hundred thirty one inpatient hospitalizations with SB were analyzed. Most SB care is provided by a few facilities. Two facilities (1%) averaged >100 SB admissions per year (33% of patients), while 15 facilities (8%) treat 10-100 patients per year (51% of patients). Most facilities (145/193, 75%) average less than one patient per year. Infants tended to be sicker (17% extreme illness severity, P < 0.001). Overall mortality is low (1%), primarily occurring in the neonatal period (8%, P < 0.001). Most admissions are associated with surgical intervention, with 63% of encounters having operating room charges with an average cost of $25,786 +/- 24,884. Admissions for spinal procedures were more common among infants, whereas admissions for genitourinary procedures were more common among older patients (P < 0.001). The average length of stay was 8 +/- 16 d with infants having the longest length of stay (19 +/- 33, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Patients have significant long-term health needs with evolving pediatric surgical indications as they grow. Pediatric SB care is primarily provided by a small number of facilities in Texas. Longitudinal care coordination of their multidisciplinary surgical care is needed to optimize patient care.