Natural history of gait patterns in untreated children with bilateral cerebral palsy in a low‐income country setting

Journal article

Aim: To assess a group of ambulant, untreated children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy, in a resource‐poor setting, who had never been assessed by a health care professional or received any treatment, to help establish the natural history of gait patterns in this condition. Method: At CURE Children's Hospital of Ethiopia, 46 children with no prior health care contact were assessed in a cross‐sectional cohort study, through a detailed history, clinical examination, and instrumented gait analysis using a motion capture system. Results: There was a large spread in the data reflecting the high natural heterogeneity in this population. The severity of gait pathology did not correlate with age; however, a small but significant reduction in sagittal hip and knee range of motion with increasing age was observed. There was also a trend towards reduced passive knee extension with age. Interpretation: Improved understanding of the aspects of gait that are likely to naturally improve, deteriorate, or remain stable over time helps guide treatment decisions in this population.

Authors: Stebbins, J; Wicks, L; Nunn, T; Gardner, R; Zerfu, TT

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Wiley
• Journal: Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology
• Publication date: 2024-10-11
• Acceptance date: 2024-09-13
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.16113
• EISSN: 1469-8749
• ISSN: 0012-1622, 1469-8749
• Language: English