Abstract
Introduction Quality of life (QOL) in older children, adolescents, and adults with cerebral palsy
(CP) is significantly impaired. Level of functioning is one of the probable determinants
of impairment in QOL. However, such studies in young children with CP are scarce in
the literature.
Methods Parents of all consecutive children aged between 1 and 4 years with a confirmed diagnosis
of CP completed the Infant Toddler Quality of Life (ITQOL) questionnaire. Total and
individual subdomain scores of ITQOL were examined for association with the level
of functioning measured by Gross Motor Function Classification System—Expanded & Revised
(GMFCS E&R), Mini-Manual Ability Classification System (Mini-MACS), Communication
Function Classification System (CFCS), and Eating and Drinking Ability Classification
System (EDACS), with/without adjustment to probable confounding variables.
Results One hundred three children with CP (74 boys, mean age: 2.6 ± 0.9 years, 49% lower
and 39% middle socioeconomic status) were enrolled. All four scales (GMFCS, Mini-MACS,
CFCS, and EDACS) describing levels of functioning had significant association with
ITQOL total score (β= –0.19, –0.15, –0.11, –0.09, respectively), which persisted even
after adjusting for confounding variables (p = 0.004, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.046, respectively). Among the confounding variables, uncontrolled
seizures, significant vision impairment, lower socioeconomic status, type of CP, and
institution of comprehensive rehabilitation measures for ≥6 months had a significant
association with ITQOL score (p = 0.03, 0.04, 0.02, 0.02, and 0.01, respectively).
Conclusion Level of functioning as measured by GMFCS, Mini-MACS, EDACS, and CFCS is independent
predictors of impairment in QOL in young children with CP.
Keywords
cerebral palsy - children - quality of life - health-related quality of life
