Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 23, 2026
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Potential of Massage Therapy in Cerebral Palsy Using Animal Models
Published on: August 11, 2023
Severity of motor dysfunction in children with cerebral palsy seen in Enugu, Nigeria
Christian Chukwukere Ogoke1, Sylvester Onabeke Iloeje2
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria.
Insights
In Enugu, over half of children with cerebral palsy (CP) have mild to moderate gross motor dysfunction (GMD) according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). However, rehabilitation and assistive device use are limited.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is characterized by gross motor dysfunction (GMD) of varying severity in children.
- The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) is a key tool for assessing CP severity globally.
- There is limited data on GMFCS application in Nigeria for understanding CP severity and management needs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To classify children with CP in Enugu based on GMD severity using the GMFCS.
- To identify the management and rehabilitation needs of children with CP in the region.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional observational study involving 100 children with CP (aged 9-96 months).
- Consecutive recruitment from two Pediatric Neurology Clinics in Enugu.
- Classification of GMD severity using the GMFCS manual after neurological examination and history taking.
Main Results:
- GMD severity ranged from mild (47%, GMFCS levels I & II) to moderate (7%, GMFCS level III) and severe (46%, GMFCS levels IV & V).
- 54% of children were ambulatory (GMFCS levels I-III), while 46% were non-ambulatory (GMFCS levels IV & V).
- Only 11.3% of the 53 children requiring mobility assistive devices were utilizing them.
Conclusions:
- Over half of the CP patients assessed in Enugu exhibited mild to moderate motor dysfunction as per GMFCS.
- A significant gap exists in the provision of appropriate rehabilitation and augmentative interventions for children with CP.
- Findings highlight the need for improved access to assistive devices and tailored rehabilitation programs.
Introduction:
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have gross motor dysfunction (GMD) of varying degrees of severity. The Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) is widely used internationally to classify children with CP into functional severity levels. There are few reports on the use of GMFCS in Nigeria to determine the severity of motor dysfunction in children with CP. This study aims to classify children with CP in Enugu on the basis of severity of their GMD in order to ascertain their management needs.
Methods:
The study was a cross sectional observational study and sample selection was by consecutive recruitment. One hundred (100) children with CP aged 9 - 96 months, attending two Pediatric Neurology Clinics in Enugu, were consecutively recruited. Relevant history was taken including modalities of treatment received. Neurological examination was done and the GMFCS manual was used to classify the children into levels of severity.
Results:
GMD varied in severity in the patients from mild (47%) (GMFCS levels I & II) to moderate (7%) (GMFCS levels III) and to severe (46%) (GMFCS levels IV & V). Those in levels I - III (54%) were ambulatory while those in levels IV & V (46%) were non-ambulatory. Of the 53 that required mobility assistive device, only 6 (11.3%) were using one.
Conclusion:
More than half of CP patients seen in Enugu were ambulatory with mild to moderate motor dysfunction based on the GMFCS. Only a few of our patients are appropriately rehabilitated with augmentative interventions.
