Linear growth velocity in children with cerebral palsy

Retrospective analysis of an anthropometric database collected prospectivel y in children with cerebral palsy (CP) was carried out to evaluate linear g rowth velocity and identify risk factors for poor linear growth. Growth vel ocity measures were compared with published norms for prepubertal growth ve locity and z scores were calculated. Mean growth velocity z score (Gvz) was -0.97+/-1.9. Boys grew more slowly than girls (mean Gvz=-1.5+/-1.9 versus -0.3+/-1.7 P=0.003). Gvz did not correlate with type of CP or presence/abse nce of microcephaly. Young age was a risk factor for poor linear growth (me an Gvz=-2.40 +/-2.6 for children under 2 years of age versus -0.76 +/-1.9 a ges 2 to 6 and -0.77 +/-1.6 ages 6 to 10, P=0.04). children at nutritional risk (triceps skinfold thickness less than or equal to 5%) grew poorly (mea n Gvz=-1.46 +/-1.5 versus -0.30 +/-1.8, P=0.01). For children over 2 years, those with cognitive impairments grew more slowly than those with normal c ognition (mean Gvz=-1.25 +/-1.9 versus -0.12 +/-1.8, P=0.02) and non-ambula tory children grew more slowly than ambulatory children (mean Gvz=-l.20 +/- 1.5 versus -0.35 +/-1.9, P=0.03). Prepubertal children with GP grow more sl owly than expected compared with age- and sex-based standards. Sex, age, co gnitive impairment, ambulatory status, and nutritional state are factors wh ich may contribute to slow growth. These results add to the growing data th at children with CP have unique growth patterns. Further study is needed to clarify the factors which contribute to poor linear growth in this populat ion.