Neuropediatrics 2012; 43 - PS14_10
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1307108

Predictors of comorbid psychiatric disorders in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy. Impact on family burden and quality of life. Results of a multicenter study

K Kohleis 1, M Storck 2, H Bode 3
  • 1Ostfalia Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, Fakultät Soziale Arbeit, Wolfenbüttel, Germany
  • 2Ostfalia Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften, Fakultät Handel und Soziale Arbeit, Suderburg, Germany
  • 3Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Klinik für Kinder und Jugendmedizin, Sektion Sozialpädiatrisches Zentrum und Kinderneurologie, Ulm, Germany

Aims: Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) are at an increased risk for mental health problems (e.g. McDermott et al., 1996; Parkes et al., 2008, Romeo et al., 2010). The aims of the present study were to examine: a) the influence of neurological and psychosocial risks on the psychological outcome and b) the impact on family burden and quality of life for this patients.

Methods: In a multicenter cross-sectional study 211 parents completed the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), a parental burden questionnaire (FaBel) and a health-related quality of life Questionnaire (Kindl ®). These Data were completed with neurological and neuroradiological findings.

Results: Compared with healthy children the Total Difficulties Score for CP Children (aged 4–16) was significantly increased (26% vs. German norms 10%). Peerproblems (35.5%) and Hyperactivity (25.1%) were predominant (German norms: 7% and 9.8%). These findings correlated significantly with the parental burdens and a decreased Quality of Life of children with CP. Neurological and neuroradiological risks play an important role in the pathogenesis of mental disorders for children with CP.

Conclusion: Our findings confirm the results from previous epidemiological studies (e.g. Parkes et al., 2008). We have demonstrated the importance of specific neurological and psychosocial factors for mental health problems of children and adolescence with CP. Necessary consequences of these data for clinical diagnosis and interdisciplinary therapeutic management are presented.

comorbid psychiatric disorders - Cerebral Palsy - Quality of Life - multicenter study