title: Spastic diplegia in children with HIV encephalopathy: first description of gait and physical status.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore the physical status and gait patterns of children with spastic diplegia secondary to human immunodeficiency virus encephalopathy (HIVE).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted on children diagnosed with HIVE and spastic diplegia. Sociodemographic and clinical background information was obtained, followed by three-dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) and a physical examination including assessments of muscle tone, strength, motor control, contractures, and bony deformities of the lower extremities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen children (eight males, six females; mean age 5 y 8 mo [SD 9 mo], range 4 y 4 mo-6 y 10 mo) were studied. The cohort was divided into two groups based on distinctive gait patterns. Nine participants in group I showed only limited abnormalities. Group II displayed a more pathological gait pattern including stiff knee and equinus ankle abnormalities. Results of 3DGA, as with the physical examination outcomes, showed increased impairments from proximal to distal (except for hip extension).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides a first description of distinctive gait patterns and related physical characteristics of children with HIVE and spastic diplegia. Further research is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery Division, Department of Surgery, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; Physiotherapy Division, Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Nelleke G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Langerak
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: du Toit
authors.forename: Marlette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Burger
authors.forename: Mark F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Cotton
authors.forename: Priscilla E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Springer
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Laughton
mesh_terms: D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000150:complications*; D000842:Ankle / Q000503:physiopathology; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004863:Equinus Deformity / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010808:Physical Examination; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology