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A Battery of Motor Tests in a Neonatal Mouse Model of Cerebral Palsy
10:02

A Battery of Motor Tests in a Neonatal Mouse Model of Cerebral Palsy

Published on: November 3, 2016

Cerebral palsy and growth failure at 6 to 7 years

Betty R Vohr1, Bonnie E Stephens, Scott A McDonald

  • 1Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, 101 Dudley St, Providence, RI 02905. bvohr@wihri.org.

Pediatrics
|September 11, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Children with moderate to severe cerebral palsy (CP) from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) experience significant growth delays. Close medical and nutritional management is crucial for these children as they age.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a major cause of neonatal brain injury.
  • Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common consequence of HIE, impacting motor function.
  • Growth patterns in children with CP following HIE require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the association between CP severity and growth up to 6-7 years in children with moderate to severe (Mod/Sev) HIE.
  • To compare growth, cognitive scores, and rehospitalization rates in children with Mod/Sev CP versus no CP (No CP).

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of growth and neurodevelopmental data from 115 surviving children from a neonatal HIE hypothermia trial.
  • Comparison of growth parameters (e.g., weight, height, head circumference) between Mod/Sev CP and No CP groups at 18-22 months and 6-7 years.
  • Statistical analyses included Fisher's exact tests and regression modeling for growth <10th percentile and z scores.

Main Results:

  • Children with Mod/Sev CP exhibited high rates of impaired growth, cognitive deficits, and rehospitalizations.
  • At 6-7 years, Mod/Sev CP group showed significantly higher rates of growth parameters <10th percentile (weight 57% vs 3%, height 70% vs 2%, head circumference 82% vs 13%).
  • Gastrostomy feeding was linked to improved growth outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Term infants with HIE who develop Mod/Sev CP face persistently high and increasing rates of growth failure by 6-7 years of age.
  • These findings underscore the necessity of diligent medical and nutritional support for children with HIE who develop CP.
Abstract

Keywords:
cerebral palsyencephalopathygrowthhypothermiahypoxia-ischemia

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