A survey of medical and paramedical involvement in children with cerebral palsy in Britanny: preliminary results.

AIM

To describe the amount of medical and paramedical involvement in a sample of Breton children with cerebral palsy as a function of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a transversal descriptive study. All children with cerebral palsy in Brittany were eligible. Parents who accepted to participate were asked to fill in a questionnaire regarding medical and paramedical involvement with their child.

RESULTS

One hundred and thirty-three parents participated. 40.6% of the children were level I on the GMFCS, 20.3% II, 12.03% III, 13.53% IV and 13.53% were level V. Thirty-nine percent of the children took at least one medication (of which 43% were antiepileptic drugs). 33.1% of the children had received at least one injection of botulinum toxin within the year. Forty-four percent used a mobility aid. Eighty-five percent of the children had at least one orthotic device, most often a night ankle-foot orthosis. The median number of rehabilitation sessions per week was 3.85 [0.5-11.5]. The frequency and type of sessions were mostly related to the GMFCS level.

CONCLUSION

This study reports high levels of medical and paramedical involvement. Studies must attempt to define optimal practice.