[Children with cerebral palsy referred to a multidisciplinary habilitation unit].
BACKGROUND
At Akershus University Hospital a new multidisciplinary team was set up to serve neurologically impaired children. We investigated how many children with cerebral palsy were referred to the team and whether referral resulted in an associated diagnosis.


METHODS
All children with a diagnosis of cerebral palsy referred up until the end of the team's first year of full service were included. Data on birth weight and mobility were retrieved from patient files. Additional diagnoses were registered at inclusion date and two years later and compared to prevalence studies.


RESULTS
182 children had a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. 41 out of 114 children (36%) in the age bracket 6-14 were described as walking without using aids. After a minimum of two years' follow-up, 80 children had no neurological or psychiatric diagnosis (except cerebral palsy).


CONCLUSIONS
Children with mild motor impairment were underrepresented, and associated impairments, except epilepsy, were diagnosed less often than expected.
Ramstad
Kjersti
K
Seksjon for habilitering, Barneavdelingen, Akershus universitetssykehus, 1474 Nordbyhagen. kjersti.ramstad@ahus.no
Blom
Unni Sandaker
US
D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012017:Referral and Consultation