Abstract
Objective: To assess the improvement in functional activities of children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy after drug management along with physical and nutritional rehabilitation. Design: Observational analytical study. Setting: community based rehabilitation centre & a private medical college at Malappuram, Kerala. Methods: This is a follow up cohort study conducted at the community level. 34 Children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy aged 4-18 years were followed up with medications for dystonia along with physical and nutritional rehabilitation for 9 months. These children were assessed with Barry- Albright dystonia scale prior to medications and at intervals of 3 months prospectively up to 9 months. Results: Over the 9 months prospective study, 34 children were enrolled and started with medications on different occasions. 6 children were excluded (2 of them developed adverse reactions to drugs and 4 were lost to follow up). Out of 28 cases, 21 were males and 7 were females with an average age of 8 years. During the study period, all of them responded well with a significant improvement after 9 months. Conclusion: Optimal drug management of dystonia, physical and nutritional rehabilitation along with management of co morbid conditions are associated with significant improvement in functional abilities of children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Keywords: Dyskinetic cerebral palsy, Dystonia, Physiotherapy, Barry-albright dystonia scale.
Highlights
Optimal drug management of dystonia, physical and nutritional rehabilitation along with management of co morbid conditions are associated with significant improvement in functional abilities of children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder of posture, movement and tone due to a static encephalopathy acquired during brain growth in fetal life, infancy or in early childhood.[1]
Over the 9 months of prospective study, 34 children diagnosed with dyskinetic cerebral palsy were started with medications on different occasions
Summary
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder of posture, movement and tone due to a static encephalopathy acquired during brain growth in fetal life, infancy or in early childhood.[1] Cerebral palsy is caused by a broad group of developmental, genetic, metabolic, ischemic, infectious and other acquired etiologies that produce a common group of neurologic phenotypes.[2] Though the brain disorder is unchanging, the effects are dynamic, as the brain matures, and the child’s developmental capabilities extend.[1]. Some may have associated problems such as epilepsy, mental sub normality etc. All these add to increased concern among parents and economic burden to healthcare system
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