Medical and surgical procedures experienced by young children with cerebral palsy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the variation in medical and surgical procedures experienced by children with cerebral palsy (CP) by Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels and geographical region.


METHODS
A secondary analysis of an existing database was completed on 386 children with CP (56% male) between the ages of 18 months and 5 years (mean of 38 months, SD = 11.5). The total number of procedures experienced by young children was analyzed using 1-way analyses of variance.


RESULTS
Botulinum toxin A (Botox) injections, gastrostomies, shunts, and interventions involving the gastrointestinal tract, respiration, and eyes varied significantly by GMFCS level. No meaningful variations were detected between East, Central, and West regions in North America.


CONCLUSIONS
This study describes variations in medical and surgical procedures for children with CP across GMFCS levels. This information is useful for therapists and parents when planning comprehensive services for young children with CP.
School of Physical Therapy, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Ashley
A
McLellan
Courtney
C
Cipparone
Danielle
D
Giancola
Dawn
D
Armstrong
Doreen
D
Bartlett
D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018726:Anti-Dyskinesia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009048:Motor Skills; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018726:Anti-Dyskinesia Agents; D001905:Botulinum Toxins