Disability evaluation in children with hemidecorticectomy: Use of the Activity Scales for Kids and the Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory

The purpose of this study is to investigate the level of disability of chil dren who are either candidates for or have undergone a hemidecorticectomy. The Activity Scales for Kids and the Pediatric Evaluation Disability Invent ory were demonstrated to be useful measurement tools yielding comparative r esults between subgroups. Overall, children with congenital disease seemed less autonomous postoperatively than were preoperative patients or children with acquired disease. Age at surgery and the interval between seizure ons et and surgery are potentially important predictors of disability. This cou ld reflect the importance of timing of surgery, development, environment, a nd possibly brain plasticity processes in this population.