Upper limb impairments, process skills, and outcome in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.

Aim: To examine the relationships between upper limb impairments and independence in self-care (ISC) in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: One hundred and eight children with unilateral CP (46 females, 62 males; mean age 8y 7mo, SD 3y 9mo) recruited from a population register were assessed for upper limb muscle power, spasticity, sensation, motor control, and process skills, and for ISC as the functional outcome using structural equation modelling.

Results: The model showed good fit indices and explained 90% of the variance in ISC.

Spinal arteriovenous malformation presenting as spastic monoplegic cerebral palsy in a child.

A case of spinal arterio-venous malformation (AVM) initially diagnosed as unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) is reported. The presentation was of a long-standing spastic monoparesis of the left leg, with initial response to Botulinum toxin injections to the calf and tibialis posterior muscles. This was followed by progressive deterioration occurring over a 3-month period before further investigation and definitive diagnosis at 7 years.

Hip surveillance in Tasmanian children with cerebral palsy.

Background: Children with cerebral palsy (CP) are at risk of hip subluxation. Over time, subluxation can lead to dislocation, deformity and pain. Hip surveillance in the form of an X-ray and clinical examination of this 'at risk group' can identify early subluxation.

Recurrence risk in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a study of parental knowledge.

Aim: To describe recurrence risk information currently being obtained by families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Methods: Structured telephone interview of parents of 21 children who received a diagnosis of ASD at Calvary Health Care Tasmania, Hobart, Australia between May 2005 and May 2006.

Results: Only one of the 21 parents knew their true recurrence risk.

Upper-limb botulinum toxin A injection and occupational therapy in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy identified from a population register: a single-blind, randomized, controlled trial.

Objectives: The purpose of this work was to assess the effect of botulinum toxin A and occupational therapy compared with occupational therapy alone on body structure, activities participation, and self-perception in a sample of children (aged 3-16 years) with hemiplegic cerebral palsy recruited from a statewide register.

Patients And Methods: Participants of this single-blind, randomized, controlled trial identified from a population-based cerebral palsy register received either an individually prescribed and localized injection of botulinum toxin A with 4 sessions of occupational therapy over 4 weeks (intervention) or occupational therapy alone (control). Outcomes were assessed from 2 domains of the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health: body structure (Modified Ashworth Scale and Tardieu Scale) and activities participation (Assessment of Motor and Process Skills, Goal Attainment Scale, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory).