Article

Aim To report the prevalence, clinical associations, and trends over time of
oromotor dysfunction and communication impairments in children with cerebral
palsy (CP). Method Multiple sources of ascertainment were used and children
followed up with a standardized assessment including motor speech problems,
swallowing/chewing difficulties, excessive drooling, and communication
impairments at age 5 years. Results A total of 1357 children born between 1980
and 2001 were studied (781 males, 576 females; median age 5y 11mo, interquartile
range 3-9y; unilateral spastic CP, n=447; bilateral spastic CP, n=496; other,
n=112; Gross Motor Function Classification System [GMFCS] level: I, 181; II, 563;
III, 123; IV, 82; IV, 276). Of those with 'early-onset' CP (n=1268), 36% had
motor speech problems, 21% had swallowing/chewing difficulties, 22% had excessive
drooling, and 42% had communication impairments (excluding articulation defects).
All impairments were significantly related to poorer gross motor function and
intellectual impairment. In addition, motor speech problems were related to
clinical subtype; swallowing/chewing problems and communication impairments to
early mortality; and communication impairments to the presence of seizures. Of
those with CP in GMFCS levels IV to V, a significant proportion showed a decline
in the rate of motor speech impairment (p=0.008) and excessive drooling (p=0.009)
over time. Interpretation These impairments are common in children with CP and
are associated with poorer gross motor function and intellectual impairment.
CI - (c) The Authors. Journal compilation (c) Mac Keith Press 2010.

Langue : ANGLAIS