Functional performance of children with cerebral palsy from high and low socioeconomic status

To investigate the influence of socioeconomic status on the functional performance of children with cerebral palsy.

Cross-sectional quantitative study of 49 children diagnosed with cerebral palsy from a convenience sample. Children of both genders aged three to seven and a half years were studied. They were classified according to the level of severity of cerebral palsy based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Participants were organized in two groups considering their high or low socioeconomic status, according to the Brazilian Economic Classification Criteria. Functional performance was assessed by the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory. The Student's t-test was applied for independent samples in order to compare means between groups.

Socioeconomic status did not affect functional performance of children with mild cerebral palsy. Those with moderate cerebral palsy and low socioeconomic status presented lower social function scores (p=0.027) than those with high socioeconomic status. Children with severe cerebral palsy with low socioeconomic status presented worse performance in self-care skills (p=0.021) and mobility (p=0.005). These children were more dependent regarding mobility (p=0.015) than those with high socioeconomic status.

Socioeconomic status may influence the development process of children with cerebral palsy and must be considered as a risk factor in educational and health practices aimed at this population.