Visual-perceptual impairment in children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review
Anne Ego1, Karen Lidzba, Paola Brovedani
1RHEOP (Registre des Handicaps de l'Enfant et Observatoire Périnatal Isère, Savoie et Haute-Savoie), Grenoble, F-38000, France; Pôle santé Publique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble, Grenoble, F-38043, France; Université Grenoble Alpes/CNRS/TIMC-IMAG UMR 5525 (Equipe ThEMAS), Grenoble, F-38041, France.
Insights
Visual-perceptual impairment (VPI) affects 40-50% of children with cerebral palsy (CP). VPI is linked to lesion severity, not typically CP subtype or IQ, highlighting its core role in CP.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Visual perception is frequently impaired in children with cerebral palsy (CP).
- Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of visual-perceptual impairment (VPI) in CP is crucial for early intervention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the literature on the frequency of VPI in children with CP.
- To investigate the relationship between VPI and various patient characteristics, including CP subtype, IQ, and neuroimaging findings.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of studies published between January 1990 and August 2011.
- Inclusion of studies assessing visual perception using five common standardized instruments in children with CP.
Main Results:
- Fifteen studies were included from an initial 84. The prevalence of VPI ranged from 40% to 50%, with a mean visual perception quotient between 70 and 90.
- No significant associations were found between VPI and CP subtype, IQ, motor impairment side, neuro-ophthalmological outcomes, or seizures.
- Severity of neuroradiological lesions appeared associated with VPI; prematurity's influence was controversial, though lower gestational age correlated more with visual-motor skills than visual-perceptual abilities.
Conclusions:
- VPI should be recognized as a core feature within the cerebral palsy syndrome.
- Further research with systematic neuropsychological testing is needed to clarify the impact of CP subgroups and neuroradiological features on visual-perceptual development.
Aim:
Visual perception is one of the cognitive functions often impaired in children with cerebral palsy (CP). The aim of this systematic literature review was to assess the frequency of visual-perceptual impairment (VPI) and its relationship with patient characteristics.
Method:
Eligible studies were relevant papers assessing visual perception with five common standardized assessment instruments in children with CP published from January 1990 to August 2011.
Results:
Of the 84 studies selected, 15 were retained. In children with CP, the proportion of VPI ranged from 40% to 50% and the mean visual perception quotient from 70 to 90. None of the studies reported a significant influence of CP subtype, IQ level, side of motor impairment, neuro-ophthalmological outcomes, or seizures. The severity of neuroradiological lesions seemed associated with VPI. The influence of prematurity was controversial, but a lower gestational age was more often associated with lower visual motor skills than with decreased visual-perceptual abilities.
Interpretation:
The impairment of visual perception in children with CP should be considered a core disorder within the CP syndrome. Further research, including a more systematic approach to neuropsychological testing, is needed to explore the specific impact of CP subgroups and of neuroradiological features on visual-perceptual development.
