title: Quality of Life of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional  KIDSCREEN study in the Southern part of the Netherlands.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the quality of life (QoL) of 8-18 year old children with cerebral palsy (CP) in the Southern part of The Netherlands to a sample of European children from the general population and to investigate factors associated with possible differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional KIDSCREEN-52 (by-proxy version) study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The parents of 80 out of 81 children (mean age 13.4 years, SD 2.98; 49 boys, 31 girls; Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level 1: 21, 2: 5, 3: 16, 4: 18, 5: 20) agreed to participate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two-sample T-tests were used to compare domain scores between groups. Regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with deviant QoL scores.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Parents reported significantly higher QoL for the domains of parent relation & home life and school environment. On the other hand significantly lower QoL was reported for the domains of psychical well-being, social support & peers, and social acceptance. Factors associated with deviant QoL scores were lower cognitive levels, less communication skills, and higher GMFCS levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study exposed several problem domains of QoL in children with CP living in the Southern part of the Netherlands. Several possible explanations for these findings are given. This information can be used to inform caregivers and service-providers.
authors.forename: George F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Vles
authors.forename: Ruben G F
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Hendriksen
authors.forename: Jose G M
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hendriksen
authors.forename: Elisabeth P M
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: van Raak
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Soudant
authors.forename: Johan S H
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Vles
authors.forename: Antonio W D
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Gavilanes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires