[Rehabilitation of children with apallic syndrome of traumatic or ischemic etiology].

Introduction: Apallic syndrome may be defined as the complete lack of cortical function - paragnosia and parapraxia. Vegetative functions and other sub cortical functions are maintained (sleep rhythm, suckling and swallowing reflex). The aim of the study was to investigate the recovery of children with Apallic syndrome depending on the etiology and differences among various modalities like self-care, motor control and speech during rehabilitation.

Material And Methods: The study was conducted among eight children (mean age 9.4) (SD-2.6). Four had a post-traumatic and four Apallic syndrome of ischemic etiology. Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results: There was no evident difference in recovery among children with Apallic syndrome of different etiology. In regard to self-care, motor control and speech, all children showed the same level of improvement during rehabilitation therapy. These results correspond with similar research findings.

Conclusion: Rehabilitation is essential to aid recovery and it does not depend on the etiology. Recovery success is the same regardless of the chosen modality.