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Children with cerebral palsy are just as happy as any other

The Lancet

Friday, 06 July 2007

A recent study published in The Lancet has shown that children has shown that the physical impairment in cerebral palsy does not have a negative affect on the children's mood and welfare . 500 children aged 8-12 years with cerebral palsy were included in the study.

The results pointed out the importance of supporting disabled children to lead full lives. This is also reassuring news for parents of children with cerebral palsy. Studies done previously looking at the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy focused on the physical disability, and mostly relied on parental views.
The study led by the University of Newcastle, compared their responses of children with cerebral palsy and age and socio economically matched children without the condition, to questions on several aspects of their lives. The questionnaire covered areas such as physical and psychological wellbeing, moods and emotions, self-perception and relationships with parents, friends and school.
Children with cerebral palsy had similar scores to the general population, on most of the areas questioned excepting schooling and physical well being. However it was seen that a low quality of life was associated with presence of pain, suggesting that this is one area which would need particular attention. The team of European researchers was led by Professor Allan Colver, professor of community child health at the University of Newcastle

Professor Colver said: "Parents can be upset when their child is diagnosed with cerebral palsy, but they can now be reassured that most children with cerebral palsy experience similar quality of life to that of other children their age. Doctors needed to learn to talk more directly to the child."

He pointed out for example, for a lot of children, there's a lot of effort in helping them to walk. But usually if a child goes into a wheelchair they suddenly become much more mobile and from the child's point of view it can transform their lives even if from an adult's point of view it seems like a step backwards. Policies and resources must be in place to make sure children with cerebral palsy are allowed to participate fully in society

Andy Rickell, an executive director at the cerebral palsy charity SCOPE, while welcoming the study cautioned: "The action it recommends on social and educational policy must include tackling the specific barriers faced by disabled children, such as not being able to attend a local school near their family or to access vital equipment in order to communicate. These findings based on children's perceptions of their quality of life, whilst instructive, should not detract from the stark reality for hundreds of thousands of disabled children across the UK.

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