A comparative assessment of motor function using the expanded and revised gross motor function classification system and the manual ability classification system in the same children with cerebral palsy in Shika, Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria.

Background: Assessment of motor function in children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) is vital to the identification and management of their mobility needs.

Objective: To compare the Expanded and Revised Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS-E&R) and Manual Ability Classification System (MACS) in the assessment of motor function in children with CP.

Methods: A review of motor activity in children with CP documented at the Departments of Paediatrics and Physiotherapy, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika, Zaria, between January 2005 and December 2009.

Results: A total of 28 children (16M: 12 F, 1.3:1) with an age range of 4 to 12 years (mean 6.2 ± 2.4 years) were studied. Birth asphyxia (46.43%) and Spastic Hemiplegia (71.43%) were the main identified predisposing factor and clinical type of CP respectively. The GMFCS-E&R identified 13 (46.43%) children with higher levels (I & II) of gross motor function against 4 (14.29%) children identified in the MACS higher levels (p=0.02). Also 6 (21.43%) of the children were identified as being in the GMFCS-E&R lower levels (IV & V) against 16 (57.14%) in MACS lower levels (p=0.00). The difference in the number of children identified as being in level III for GMFCS-E&R 9 (32.14%) and MACS 8 (28.57%) was not significant (p=0.77). Overall correlation between GMFCS-E&R and MACS levels was poor using Kappa statistics (Kappa=0.00).

Conclusion: The GMFCS-E&R and MACS significantly identified higher and lower levels of motor functions respectively in the same children. The disparity underscores the complexity in assessing the motor function of children with CP.