Article

This study aimed to examine the association between motor and mental
functioning in toddlers with cerebral palsy (CP). METHODS: The Mental and Motor
Scales of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Second Edition (BSID-II) were
administered. SUBJECTS: Seventy-eight toddlers with CP (mean age 2 years 7
months, SD 1 month; 43 boys, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS)
levels I-V). RESULTS: Spearman correlation coefficient between mental and motor
functioning was 0.67 (p < 0.01). Sixty-five percent (51/78) of the children
performed at the same level in mental and motor functioning, of whom 36 performed
significantly delayed and 15 within normal limits.
Thirty-five percent of the
children were more delayed in motor functioning than in mental functioning.
CONCLUSION: In toddlers with CP, an association was found between mental and
motor functioning. When motor and mental functioning did not develop
synchronously, it was always in favour of mental functioning. This study
emphasizes the importance of examining both mental functioning and motor
functioning separately of pre-school children with CP.

Langue : ANGLAIS