Differences in respiratory pressure and pulmonary function among children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic cerebral palsy in comparison with normal controls

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine differences in respiratory pressure and pulmonary function among children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) in comparison with children with normal development. [Subjects and Methods] Fourteen children with spastic diplegic CP, 11 children with hemiplegic CP, and 14 children with normal development were recruited. Respiratory pressure was measured and the pulmonary function test (PFT) was performed to evaluate the strength of the respiratory muscles and lung volumetric capacity. [Results] Regarding respiratory pressure, children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic CP showed significantly lower functions in terms of MIP and MEP compared with children with normal development, although no significant differences were found between children with the two types of CP. In the pulmonary function test, children with spastic diplegic CP showed significantly higher pulmonary function than children with normal development in terms of only FVC and FEV1. [Conclusion] Children with CP showed relatively lower function in terms of respiratory pressure and lung capacity, in comparison with children with normal development. Therefore, respiratory function in children with CP should be carefully evaluated and should receive more attention in a rehabilitation setting.

Respiratory morbidity in children with cerebral palsy: an overview

“…50 Pulmonary function testing showed significant differences in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one-second between children with normal development and children with spastic diplegic CP. 50 Lampe et al 8 measured lung vital capacity using a spirometer in 46 adults with CP (GMFCS levels I-IV) and compared these results with calculated normal values. Values of vital capacity from patients with CP were lower than the matched normative values and decreased with increasing GMFCS level.…”

“…Indeed, in most patients with CP lung function is lower than in typically developing controls. Kwon and Lee compared 25 children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic CP with 14 children with normal development and demonstrated significant differences for maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure between children with and without CP . Pulmonary function testing showed significant differences in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one‐second between children with normal development and children with spastic diplegic CP .…”

“…Kwon and Lee compared 25 children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic CP with 14 children with normal development and demonstrated significant differences for maximal inspiratory pressure and maximal expiratory pressure between children with and without CP . Pulmonary function testing showed significant differences in forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one‐second between children with normal development and children with spastic diplegic CP . Lampe et al measured lung vital capacity using a spirometer in 46 adults with CP (GMFCS levels I–IV) and compared these results with calculated normal values.…”

“…Motor impairment results in limited physical activity, loss of muscle mass, weakening of respiratory muscles, and compromised pulmonary function. 3,50,51 Consequently, and not surprisingly, children with CP who are able to walk, have better respiratory muscle strength and respiratory training resulting in better respiratory function (maximal inspiratory pressure, maximal expiratory pressure, and forced vital capacity). 51 Ers€ oz et al 9 demonstrated decreased chest mobility in patients with spastic CP, independent of their cognitive status, and this was more prominent in older children.…”

Respiratory Function Under Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy in Patients With Spastic Tetraplegia

“…Patients with spastic tetraplegia due to SCI or CP also suffer from respiration difficulties that result from respiratory muscle deficiency, and these can reduce operating lung volume . So these patients are at high risk for aspiration pneumonia , which is also one of the major complications of ITB therapy .…”