Health-related quality of life in childhood cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of a cross-section of children with cerebral palsy (CP) using the Child Health Questionnaire.


METHODS
Survey of the parents or guardians of children with CP.


METHODS
Outpatient clinics at a tertiary care children's hospital.


METHODS
Children (N=177; 98 boys, 79 girls; mean age +/- standard deviation [SD], 8.6+/-4.2y) with CP were enrolled as a convenience sample. Study subjects were stratified by severity of CP using the Gross Motor Function Classification System.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
HRQOL scores, as determined by the Child Health Questionnaire-Parent Form 50.


RESULTS
Parents reported reduced HRQOL for their children with CP. In the physical function domain, most children scored over 3 SDs below a normative sample, and scores in parental impact domains were at least 1 SD below the normative sample. Psychosocial domains were less impaired. Most of the effects on physical and parent impact domains were greater in children with more severe CP, although they were significant in most strata of severity.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with CP have reduced HRQOL and the degree to which it is reduced is related to the severity of their CP.
Vargus-Adams
Jilda
J
Division of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA. jilda.vargus-adams@cchmc.org
D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires