Objective: We sought to detail the spectrum of movement disorders (MD) among children with cerebral palsy (CP) and assess impact on functional status.

Background: Movement disorders are underrecognized in children with CP and may hamper functional status.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, children with CP were recruited and examined for various MDs. Tone abnormality was assessed using Hypertonia Assessment Tool (HAT), functional status using Gross Motor Function Classification System Expanded and Revised (GMFCS E&R), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), and Communication Function Classification System (CFCS). These scores were classified into mild-moderate (level 1-III)/ severe (level IV-V) categories.

Results: We enrolled 113 children (mean age 4.9 + 3.4 years, 66.4% boys). MDs were noted in 52(46%) children; the most frequent were dystonia (28%), chorea (14%), choreoathetosis (8%). Of 64 children with quadriparetic CP, 27 (42.2%) demonstrated MDs. Of 19 children with hemiparetic CP, two (10.5%) had MDs. Of 16 children with dyskinetic CP, 15 (93%) had MDs. Children with dyskinetic CP had significantly higher frequency of MDs (p=0.001). There was no difference in occurrence of all MDs or dystonia alone amongst the two categories (mild-moderate/ severe) of GMFCS E&R levels, CFCS levels or MACS levels.

Conclusion: Although diverse MDs occur frequently in CP, these do not correlate with the broad functional status of the child.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/spectrum-of-movement-disorders-and-correlation-with-functional-status-in-children-with-cerebral-palsy/