Health Related Quality of Life of Children with Cerebral Palsy among 3-12 Years Old

Abstract

Introduction: Health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL)refers to a set of characteristics that may have an effect on health because they are related with an increased risk of chronic diseases related to low levels of physical activity. HRQOL is especially appropriate to conditions that are continuing and disabling such as cerebral palsy (CP). This study aims to determine the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: Cross sectional prospective survey under a quantitative study design was conducted for six months. Data was collected from the outdoor and indoor Paediatric physiotherapy unit of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP), Bangladesh. 100 cerebral palsy children were taken as the sample based on eligibility criteria, LAQ-CP questionnaire was used to assesses the effect of disability in children with CP and their families. Results: From the analysis, found that cerebral palsy most commonly limits the schooling of the cerebral palsy child. Also, it limits the ability of mobility, physical independence, and social integration. Besides it causes economic and clinical burden for the family members of the child with CP. Overall, the QOL severely affected 40% (n=40) cerebral palsy children, moderately 29% (n=29), mildly 20%(n=20) children. Only 11% (n=11) was found with good QOL in this study. Conclusion: HRQOL is pointedly affected in most of the children suffering from cerebral palsy. Measurement of HRQOL should be include with other type of assessment, to specify the areas in which a patient is most suffering and help the expert in making suitable decisions for patient management. The present finding indicates that cerebral palsy has a negative impact on health status and quality of life of children with cerebral palsy, as reported by the respondent parent.