Article

AIM: To describe growth in infancy and early childhood in children with cerebral
palsy (CP). METHOD: One hundred and four children with CP born at minimum 36
weeks' gestation in 2002 to 2010 were included. Prospectively collected growth
data were requested from public health clinics. We calculated standard deviation
(SD) scores (z-scores) for weight and height for 12 set age points for each child
from birth to 5 years, and for head circumference from birth to 12 months.
RESULTS: Children with CP had normal growth in weight and height if they were
born non-small for gestational age (non-SGA) or had mild motor impairments (i.e.
Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] I-II), whereas children born
SGA or with severe motor impairments (GMFCS III-V) had reduced growth (p<0.001).
Children with feeding difficulties in infancy had reduced growth in weight and
height throughout early childhood, while children without feeding difficulties
had normal growth. Head circumference growth decreased most severely among
children born SGA, who had mean z-scores of -3.0 (95% confidence interval [CI]
-3.7 to -2.2) at 1 year. INTERPRETATION: Children with mild CP had normal growth
in weight and height until 5 years, and in head circumference during infancy.
Feeding difficulties in infancy and being born SGA were strongly associated with
reduced growth.
CI - (c) 2016 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS