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Interrelationships of Functional Status and Health Conditions in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Descriptive Study
Doreen Bartlett1, Emily Dyszuk, Barbara Galuppi
1School of Physical Therapy (Dr Bartlett), Western University, London, Ontario, Canada; Sudbury Prosthetic and Orthotic Design (Ms Dyszuk), Sudbury, Ontario, Canada; CanChild Centre for Childhood Disability Research (Ms Galuppi), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pediatrics and CanChild (Mr Gorter), McMaster University Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Insights
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often have multiple health conditions. Lower functional levels, as measured by the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS), correlate with more health issues.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex condition affecting motor function.
- Standardized classification systems like GMFCS, MACS, and CFCS are crucial for assessing children with CP.
- Understanding the interplay between functional abilities and co-occurring health conditions is vital for comprehensive care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationships among the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) in children with CP.
- To determine the average number and impact of associated health conditions in relation to these functional classifications.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 671 children with CP aged 2–12 years from Canada and the United States.
- Cross-tabulation of GMFCS, MACS, and CFCS classifications.
- Calculation of average number and impact of co-occurring health conditions for different functional levels.
Main Results:
- 78 out of 125 possible classification combinations were observed.
- The most frequent combinations involved GMFCS I/II, MACS I/II, and CFCS I.
- A significant finding was that lower functional levels across all three classification systems were associated with an increased average number and impact of health conditions.
Conclusions:
- Functional profiles integrating GMFCS, MACS, and CFCS offer a more holistic understanding of a child's CP status.
- Considering associated health conditions alongside functional classifications provides a more comprehensive clinical picture.
- This integrated approach can improve individualized care planning and intervention strategies for children with CP.
Purpose:
To examine the relationship among the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), the Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and the Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to determine the average number and effect of health conditions.
Methods:
Participants were 671 children with CP aged 2 to 12 years from Canada and the United States. Cross-tabulation of functional classifications and averages were computed for the number and impact of health conditions and comparisons among groups.
Results:
A total of 78 of the 125 possible classification combinations were recorded. Most frequent were GMFCS I, MACS I, CFCS I; GMFCS I, MACS II, CFCS I; and GMFCS II, MACS II, CFCS I. With lower levels of function, the average number and average impact of associated health conditions increased.
Conclusions:
The use of functional profiles across classification systems, with data on the associated health conditions, provides a more comprehensive picture of CP than any single classification or measure.
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