Article

In a prospective, longitudinal study, we investigated the influence of the
severity of motor impairment on changes in body characteristics in children with
moderate-to-severe cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: Twenty-six single children and
adolescents (15 females, 11 males; mean age 10y 6mo, SD 3y 3mo) with spastic
(quadriplegia, hemiplegia, or diplegia), athetotic, or hypotonic CP at Gross
Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels III to V participated. They
were categorized into moderate (GMFCS levels III or IV, n=11) and severe (GMFCS
level V, n=15) groups. Muscle thickness of the quadriceps femoris (MTQ) and fat
thickness of the anterior thigh (FTA) measured using ultrasound images, together
with weight and height, were obtained at annual measurements over 3 years.
RESULTS: Significant increases in all variables were found in both groups. The
areas under the curve (AUCs: an index of the gain) for weight, MTQ, and FTA were
significantly higher in the moderate group. The AUC for weight, adjusted for
height, was significantly correlated with the AUC for MTQ in the moderate group,
and with the AUC for FTA in the severe group. INTERPRETATION: Weight gain in
children with severe CP does not necessarily reflect muscle growth.

Langue : ANGLAIS