Development of equations and software for estimating weight in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Aim To develop equations and software to estimate weight using segmental measures for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Method This was a cross‐sectional study. Children and adolescents with CP of both sexes from 2 to 19 years old from five cities in Argentina were included. Weight, mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC), and clinical covariables were collected. Linear regression models with weight as the dependent variable and body segment lengths as predictors were developed and compared for R2, adjusted R2, and the root mean square of the error. Results In total, 381 children and adolescents (mean age 10y 5mo [SD 4y 9mo], range 2–19y; 231 males, 150 females) with a confirmed diagnosis of CP were included. Gross motor function based on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) was as follows: level I, 59; II, 55; III, 59; IV, 69; V, 139. The interaction between weight and other variables such as MUAC, sex, GMFCS, and age was analysed. The concordance correlation coefficient between estimated and observed weight was 0.94 (95% CI 0.93–0.95). From the results of the equations, a free software tool, named Weight Calculator CP, was developed. Interpretation Weight in children with CP can be predicted using MUAC, GMFCS, and age. Weight Calculator CP can be used in clinical practice when direct weight cannot be obtained. Equations can be used to estimate weight in children with cerebral palsy via body segments. Weight can be estimated according to age and gross motor function. The average difference between estimated and observed weights was 119g.

Novel weight estimation equation for children with cerebral palsy in low‐resource settings: Validation in a population‐based cohort

“…Lin's concordance correlation coefficient showed a substantial correlation between the observed and estimated weights, and the percentage error, which determines whether the method is accurate, was only 5%. 36,37 This lower error margin supports the previous research findings by Ruiz Brunner et al 15 The findings indicate that the equation was able to estimate weight accurately for most of the sample population in the BCPR. Therefore, the equations are useful at the population level and can be used for public health research, as stated by Ruiz Brunner et al in their original research.…”

Effect of Hospital-Family Rehabilitation Intervention on Walking Function and Lower Limb Surface Electromyography in Children with Cerebral Palsy

“…There is no unified evaluation standard of the curative effect, and this subject refers to the evaluation standard of curative effect of infantile CP put forward by Ma Ruofei et al [ 17 ]: markedly effective: the total score is increased by more than 20 points; effective: the total score is increased by 10-19 points; progress: the total score is increased by 5-9 points; and ineffective: the total score is increased by less than 5 points.…”

The significance of MUAC z-scores in diagnosing pediatric malnutrition: A scoping review with special emphasis on neurologically disabled children

“…The nutritional assessment of neurologically disabled children is based on low WFH/l, low TSFT, and low mid-upper arm fat or muscle area according to European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) guidelines, which is time-consuming and requires trained staff ( 40 , 74 ). In children older than 2 years with CP, obtaining weight by direct measurement becomes more difficult due to lack of balance and the motor compromise preventing them to stay still on a regular scale, particularly in low- and middle-income countries with limited access to wheelchair adapted scales or even regular scales ( 76 ).…”

“…MUAC, a segmental measure indirectly assessing growth and changes in caloric and protein intake, uses the fat, bone, and muscle area of the arm as an indirect measure to evaluate body weight ( 24 , 76 , 77 ). Accordingly, using circumferences, primarily MUAC, in combination with other methods has consistently been recommended in children with CP ( 40 ).…”