ABSTRACT
Objective
To investigate the relationships between four functional classification systems in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and parent-interpredicted intelligence level, and the functional status in clinical types of CP.
Methods
Two hundred and twenty-five children with CP ages between 2 and 18 (mean age 6.5 ± 4.4) years included using the Surveillance of CP in Europe (SCPE) database in Turkey. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), Manual Ability Classification System (MACS), Communication Function Classification System (CFCS) and Eating and Drinking Classification System (EDACS) levels were classified by clinical observation, and intelligence quotient (IQ) was determined by parent reports.
Results
Correlations were found between all functional levels; the strongest were between GMFCS-MACS (r = 0.784, p < .001), CFCS-EDACS (r = 0.772, p < .001). Strong correlations were found for the IQ-CFCS (r = 0.762, p < .001) and IQ-EDACS (r = 0.634, p < .001). Correlations were stronger in children with bilateral CP and IQ level <70.
Conclusions
Taken together, these four classification systems and reported IQ levels can adequately describe overall functioning for children with CP. Our results can guide clinicians in the rehabilitation of children with CP.
Acknowledgments
This study is the continuation of the study named “Correlations among the functional classifications in children with Cerebral Palsy: A Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) database study” which was presented as a poster at the 13th EPNS Congress held in Athens, Greece between 17 and 21 September 2019. We would like to thank Catherine Arnaud, Chair of the SCPE, for providing us with the SCPE registration system. We would like to thank all the children and their parents for participating in the study.
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Supplementary Material
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.