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Published on: December 19, 2019
QUALITY OF LIFE AND UPPER LIMB FUNCTION OF CHILDREN WITH NEONATAL BRACHIAL PLEXUS PALSY
Daiane Lazzeri de Medeiros1, Natália Borges Agostinho1, Luis Mochizuki1
1Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
Insights
Children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy experience diminished upper limb function and quality of life, impacting their overall health and psychosocial well-being compared to typical children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric neurology
- Rehabilitation medicine
- Quality of life research
Background:
- Neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) is a condition affecting newborns, potentially leading to long-term functional deficits.
- Understanding the impact of NBPP on a child's overall well-being is crucial for effective management and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare upper limb function and quality of life in children with NBPP versus typically developing children.
- To identify specific domains of quality of life most affected by NBPP.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 24 children with NBPP and 24 typical controls (mean age 10 years).
- Upper limb function assessed using the Modified Mallet Scale and Active Movement Scale.
- Quality of life evaluated with the Pediatric Outcome Data Collection Instrument and Child Health Questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Children with NBPP demonstrated significantly lower upper limb function on both assessment scales.
- NBPP group reported poorer quality of life across most Pediatric Outcome Data Collection Instrument domains, excluding comfort/pain.
- Significant deficits were observed in the Child Health Questionnaire for physical functioning, pain, behavior, mental health, and psychosocial aspects.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal brachial plexus palsy negatively impacts upper limb function and overall quality of life.
- Key affected areas include general health, mobility, physical and psychosocial functioning, happiness, and emotional well-being of both the child and parents.
Objective:
To compare the upper limb function and quality of life between children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy and controls with unaffected brachial plexus (typical children).
Methods:
Twenty-four children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy and 24 typical ones were evaluated, both groups with 10±3 years of age. The upper limb function was assessed by the Modified Mallet Scale and the Active Movement Scale, whereas quality of life was analyzed by the Pediatric Outcome Data Collection Instrument and the Child Health Questionnaire. Mann-Whitney U tests investigated the differences between groups in such scales.
Results:
Children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy presented lower limb function compared to typical children in both scales. These children also presented lower scores for most of the Pediatric Outcome Data Collection Instrument domains, except for comfort/pain. In addition, they had lower scores in the following domains of the Child Health Questionnaire: physical functioning, pain, behavior, mental health, overall health perception, emotional impact on parents, and psychosocial summarized score.
Conclusions:
Neonatal brachial plexus palsy has a negative influence on upper limb function and quality of life, mainly considering overall health, basic mobility, physical and psychosocial functions, happiness, pain, behavior, mental health, upper limb function, and emotional impact on their parents.
