Ambulatory status of children with cerebral palsy : a retrospective study

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between: (a) non-ambulatory status of children with spastic quadriplegia (SQ) and spastic diplegia (SD) at age 4 years with current ambulatory status and (b) non-ambulatory status among these children at age 7 years and ultimate development of independent ambulation. The physical therapy records of 26 students with a diagnosis of SQ or SD who met criteria to be included in the study were reviewed. Of the 21 children with SQ who were non-ambulatory at age 4 years, all continued to be non-ambulatory at 7 years and are currently non-ambulatory. Of the five children with SD who were non-ambulatory at age 4 years, two were non-ambulatory at 7 years and three are currently non-ambulatory. The two children with SD who were non-ambulatory at age 7 continue to be non-ambulatory. The results appear to indicate: (a) a relationship between non-ambulatory status at age 4 years and ultimate non-ambulatory status for children with SQ (b) no relationship between non-ambulatory status at 4 years and ultimate ambulatory status for children with SD and (c) remote prospects for the development of independent ambulation in children with SQ who are non-ambulatory at age 7 years. Further study is needed to determine whether children with SD who are non-ambulatory at 7 years ever acquire independent ambulation.