Avaliação da capacidade funcional de crianças com paralisia cerebral

Abstract

Cerebral palsy (CP) is characterized by a set of postural and movement disorders that cause functional limitations. It is attributed to non-progressive, but mutable, disorders resulting from immature brain injury, and the major complaint in children with CP is motor impairment. The present study aimed to evaluate the functional capacity by (Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory - PEDI), (Gross Motor Function Classification System – GMFCS) and (Manual Ability Classification System – MACS) of children with CP treated by Federal University of Sergipe physical therapy outpatient care. Sample was composed by seven children with CP (mean age: 3.8 years old). Findings showed children with greater motor impairment have reduced functional capacity by PEDI. Reduction is influenced by symptoms and clinical characteristics in CP children. In view of all results evidenced in this study, it is concluded that PEDI is a good measure to indicate functional disability and it serves as a basis for the characterization of the functional impairment of children with CP.