Abstract
Background
Cerebral palsy is a nosological entity in which genetic diseases and other neurodevelopmental disorders are being included, which, despite presenting motor dysfunction, do not meet the criteria that define cerebral palsy as such. The aim of this study was to verify whether there are differences between cerebral palsy and other disorders or syndromes considered “related to cerebral palsy.”
Method
79 children with cerebral palsy and 65 children with pathologies apparently similar to cerebral palsy were assessed using the Gross Motor Function Classification System, the Manual Ability Classification System, the Communication Function Classification System, and the Bobath Foundation Scale.
Results
Children with other pathologies presented higher overall deficit compared to the group with cerebral palsy, as well as greater problems in specific aspects of health, sensory-perception, autonomy, communication, and basic cognitive skills, while no intergroup differences were found with regard to motor functions. It was subsequently explored whether these functions were equally related to the cognitive-social sphere in the two groups, observing a greater relationship in the group with cerebral palsy.
Conclusions
Cerebral palsy has a distinctive profile that differentiates it from other neurological disorders and syndromes, thereby questioning the trend to consider genetic and neurodevelopmental pathologies as cerebral palsy. The consequences of a correct diagnosis in the treatment of children have been considered.