Abstract
Background: Children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) have a high incidence of respiratory complications which is a leading cause of death among them. Understanding the relationship between these respiratory complications and underlying disability becomes important in their rehabilitation.
Objectives: This study was aimed at investigating the relationship between each of respiratory rate (RR), Chest excursion at the 4th (CE4), 7th (CE7) and 9th (CE9) intercostals spaces, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) across the levels of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) of children with CP.
Methods: 52 children with CP with a mean age of 72months were recruited into this study. They were classified into group I (13), II (6), III (8), IV (11) and V (14) using the GMFCS. Their RR, CE4, CE7, CE9, FVC, FEV1 and PEF were measured using standard procedures in supine lying. Only those children in GMFCS I to IV were able to take instructions for the performance of spirometry. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS 20. P value was set at 0.05.
Results: The RR significantly increased across the levels of GMFCS (p=0.03) with post hoc analysis showing a significant difference in children in GMFCS I and V (p=0.01). PEF significantly reduced across the levels of GMFCS (p=0.02) with post hoc analysis showing a significant difference in children in GMFCS I and each of II (p=0.02), III (p=0.01) and IV (p=0.02).
Conclusion: RR and PEF of children with CP worsen with the severity of the condition. Therefore, interventions aimed at improving pulmonary function should be integrated in the rehabilitation of these children.
- Copyright ©the authors 2016
