Article

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.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Langue : ANGLAIS ; FRANCAIS