Differences of respiratory function in children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic cerebral palsy, compared with normally developed children

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences between respiratory function in children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) and children with normal development, and to compare respiratory function between children with spastic diplegic and those with hemiplegic CP. METHOD: Fourteen children with spastic diplegic CP, 14 children with spastic hemiplegic CP, and 14 normal children were enrolled, whose age, gender, height, weight, and body surface area were matched. All participants performed respiratory function tests by inhaling a breath and then blowing the entire volume through a spirometer, as deeply and rapidly as possible. RESULTS: In general, children with spastic diplegic CP and those with hemiplegic CP showed lower respiratory function compared to children with normal development. In comparison between children with spastic CP and those with hemiplegic CP, statistical significance was observed only in FVC, FEV1, and PEF. CONCLUSION: Findings revealed significantly weaker respiratory function in children with CP as compared to normal children. In addition, children with spastic diplegic CP showed significantly lower forced expiratory function than those with spastic hemiplegic CP. Therefore, clinical assessment and therapeutic intervention for respiratory function should be carefully considered for children with spastic diplegic and hemiplegic CP.

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

“…In the results of the PFT, only children with spastic diplegic CP showed a significant difference compared with children with normal development. These findings corroborate results reported in several previous studies 6 , 9 , 13 ) , which have shown that children with CP, in particular in diplegic CP, have a significantly lower outcome in the PFT in comparison with children with normal development. The reason for this relative decrease in functional lung capacity in children with CP is inefficiency of cardiovascular fitness and chest mobility caused by neurological disorder.…”

“…In the comparisons of respiratory pressure and PFT between children with the two types of CP, the children with hemiplegic CP generally showed better function in all variables, even if nonsignificant findings were observed. Our previous study indicated that children with hemiplegic CP showed significantly higher forced expiratory function, compared with children with normal development 6 ) .…”

“…Many recent studies have revealed that children with CP are exposed to a risk of pulmonary dysfunction and parenchymal lung disease 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ) . Clinical symptoms consist of coughing and poor air clearance, decreased chest wall mobility, insufficient respiratory muscle function, etc 8 , 9 ) .…”

Respiratory Function Under Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy in Patients With Spastic Tetraplegia

“…Positive correlation between chest expansion and lung vital capacity has been established in adults and children with CP . In general, patients with spastic tetraplegia have respiratory muscle deficiency, which results in reduced FVC.…”

Lung vital capacity and oxygen saturation in adults with cerebral palsy

“… 2 In a study of respiratory function of spastic children, the lung vital capacity (VC) was measured with a spirometer and compared with that of able-bodied persons. 3 Spastic diplegic children showed the most reduced VC, and their respiratory function was more affected than in hemiplegic children. Also, during the feeding of persons with severe disabilities who also suffer from gastrointestinal reflux, aspiration could happen and lead to aspiration pneumonia.…”