Could vision prognose cerebral palsy children’s development ?

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the role of vision as a prognostic factor of the general developmental process in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: 80 CP children (age range 24‐96 months), participated in the study. Anamnestic data was collected, evaluation of Developmental Quotient (DQ), assessment of visual function (VFA‐K test), Visual Evoked Potentials (VEPs) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were performed in all. VFA‐K test assesses the visual function in a global way (sensory, oculomotor, eye body coordination). Results: 53 CP children (66.25%) appeared with affected visual function and reduced DQ. 75.55% of the CP children with moderate to severe PVL and 93.75% with combined brain damage, appeared with affected visual function. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between visual function, DQ and the severity of brain damage. (p<0,001) On the contrary, only 63.63% of the cases with affected visual function, appeared with abnormal flash VEPs. Conclusions: Since visual function shows a statistically significant relationship with the developmental quotient of these children, visual function could play a prognostic role in these children’s general development.