Audio-Visual Assessment in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract

Objectives: To find out the important co-morbidities such as Auditory & Visual impairment in children with Cerebral palsy and the common predisposing factors responsible for these salvageable maladies.

Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on consecutively enrolled children having clinical and imaging evidence of CP. Demographic, clinical, anthropometric, and justified investigations were done. Co-morbidities were assessed by Clinical psychologists, ENT surgeons and ophthalmologists, and Neurologists. The severity of type CP was compared with the type and degree of Audiovisual and language handicaps. 

Results: Sixty-four under-five children with CP were analyzed for Demographic parameters, SEC, Anthropometry, Clinical types, and severity of CP. & Comorbidities. 62.5% of CP children did not have any perinatal high-risk factors. Of the CP children, 55% were delivered by Vaginal delivery; 68% were born Preterm, & 62% had delayed cries at birth.; 58% were Spastic Q-pelagic, 34% Spastic diplegic, 5% spastic hemiplegic, and 2 % each Hypotonic and extrapyramidal CPs. Among CP children 22 (34%) had hearing abnormality and speech delay was seen in 43 (67%), irrespective of hearing ability. 27/37 (73%) Spastic quadriplegic children had speech delay as compared to 14/22 (64%0 of diplegic CP children. Structural Eye abnormality was seen in 37/64 (58%) and Functional Eye abnormality in 43 (70%) of CP children.

Conclusions: The present study revealed a high association of comorbidities such as hearing impairment in 34 %, speech delay in 67 %, and visual impairment in as high as 70 % of Cerebral palsy children. The severity of CP was associated with increased association and severity of comorbidities. Early diagnosis & treatment of comorbidities can improve the quality of life.