Vestibular symptoms in children with spastic cerebral palsy

Abstract

Introduction: In children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), the factors associated with the development of symptoms of vestibular system dysfunction are not yet fully understood. Objective: To determine the association between clinical symptoms of vestibular system disorders and the severity of gross motor function impairment, characteristics of the brain lesion and age at the beginning of physiotherapy in a sample of children with spastic CP. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 82 children with spastic CP. Assessments were performed of gross motor function and characteristics of the brain lesion, along with a vestibulo-oculomotor clinical examination. Results: The severity of gross motor function impairment, location of the brain lesion (motor cortex) and age at which the child began physiotherapy (more than 2 years of age) were associated with symptoms of vestibular system disorders, specifically with abnormalities of the vertical and horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflexes and the presence of central nystagmus. Conclusion: The severity of the impairment of gross motor functions, brain lesion (motor cortex) and the age at which the child began physiotherapy are associated with symptoms of vestibular system disorders.