How Does the Cause of Infantile Hemiparesis Influence Other Conditioning Factors? A Preliminary Study in a Spanish Population

Abstract

Infantile hemiparesis may be associated with significant morbidity and may have a profound impact on a child’s physical and social development. Infantile hemiparesis is associated with motor dysfunction as well as additional neurologic impairments, including sensory loss, mental retardation, epilepsy, and vision, hearing, or speech impairments. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between the cause of infantile hemiparesis and birth (gestational age), age of diagnosis, and associated disorders present in children with infantile hemiparesis aged 0 to 3 years. An observational and cross-sectional study was performed. A simple and anonymous questionnaire was created ad hoc for parents of children diagnosed with infantile hemiparesis aged between 0 and 3 years about the situation regarding the diagnosis of hemiparesis, birth, cause of hemiparesis, and presence of other associated disorders. Perinatal stroke (60.1%) was the most common cause of hemiparesis, and the most typical associated disorder was epilepsy (34.2%), with the second largest percentage in this dimension corresponding to an absence of associated disorders (20.7%). The most frequent birth was “no premature” (74.1%). The mean age of diagnosis of infantile hemiparesis was registered at 8 months (IQR: 0–36). Knowing the possible association between different conditioning factors and the cause of infantile hemiparesis facilitates the prevention of severe sequelae in children and family, implementing an early comprehensive therapeutic approach in children with infantile hemiparesis.

Impact of lack of face-to-face schooling during COVID-19 confinement on family quality of life of children with disabilities and typical development

“…Children diagnosed with hemiplegia or obstetrical brachial palsy (OBP) have daily life difficulties due to a reduced use of the affected upper limb, and thus, they need specific treatments to keep their functionality; the school enables the interaction with others and improves their participation. [13][14][15] The activity and participation are altered due to the nonuse of the affected upper limb, as well as their quality of life (QoL). Therefore, the confinement may have adversely affected their functionality, mental health, and psychological status, which affected not only children but also the general and mental health of their families.…”

Early Intervention in Unilateral Cerebral Palsy: Let’s Listen to the Families! What Are Their Desires and Perspectives? A Preliminary Family-Researcher Co-Design Study

“…Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that the infant’s motor behavior, via discovery and interaction with the environment, controls and generates the growth and development of muscle, ligament, and bone as well as drives ongoing development of the neuromotor system [ 8 , 9 ]. UCP can be diagnosed at an early age [ 10 , 11 ], which would allow the initiation of the intervention at an early stage, reducing or preventing the limitations present in the affected side of the body that may affect their quality of life. The delay in diagnosis and intervention can cause extreme psychosocial stress for families [ 12 ].…”