Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate relationship between upper extremity muscle strength and pulmonary function parameter in children with spina bifida.

Materials and Methods: This study enrolled 44 myelomeningocele SB children, with a mean age of 9.1±2.4 years. Socio-demographic datas' of the children were recorded. Spirometric measures were applied to evaluate pulmonary function tests: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume at 1st second (FEV₁), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), Forced Expiratory Flow at %25-27 (FEF%25-75) and Forced Expiratory Flow at %50 (FEF %50). Upper extremity muscle strenght were evaluate to pectoralis major, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, deltoideus muscles and as gross muscle test. Results were recorded as a total score for gross muscle test and a total score obtained in both extremities for isolated muscle test.

Results: 2.3% of the children were thorocal, 27.3% were thoroco-lumbar, 38.6% were lumbar, 27.3% were lumbo-sacral, 4.5% were sacral level of lesion. In statistical analysis, there was found relationship between upper extremity total muscle score and FVC, FEV₁, PEF (P<0.05). There were between FEF %25-75 and deltoideus and biceps brachii muscles, between FEF %50 and deltoideus, biceps brachii, pectoralis majör muscles (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Upper extremity strenght and function are important in terms of respiratory function in children with SB. We think that, during the rehabilitation programme upper extremity muscle strengthening exercises and the improve functional use of the hand will have the effect positively respiratory function.