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Bowel Continence Across the Lifespan in People With Spina Bifida
Comparing Antegrade Versus Retrograde Enemas To Improve Bowel Continence Across the Lifespan in People With Spina Bifida
Who can join
Ages 5 and older · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Minimum age 5 years old * Myelomeningocele diagnosis * Starting a retrograde or antegrade enema program (or switching from one enema program to the other) * English or Spanish speaking/literate Exclusion Criteria: \- Other types of spinal dysraphism (e.g., lipomyelomeningocele, fatty filum)
About the study
The goal of this observational study is to learn how different enema programs affect bowel control in children and adults with spina bifida. An enema program involves putting liquid into the large intestine (colon) to help someone poop. The main questions it aims to answer are:
1. How well do different enema programs prevent bowel accidents? 2. How do these enema programs affect independence, bowel symptoms, and quality of life?
Researchers will compare two types of enema programs to see which works better and is easier for participants to manage.
Participants starting a new enema program will answer online survey questions at 3 different timepoints over the course of 1 year.
What is being tested
- Retrograde Enema (procedure)
- Antegrade Enema (procedure)
Sponsor: David Chu · Participants: 943 · Started: Apr 1, 2026
Contact the study team
- Josephine Hirsch · Phone: 312-227-6076
- Ilina Rosoklija · Phone: 312-227-6409
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07390318
Locations in the U.S.
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 29, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.