Longitudinal development of hand function in children with unilateral cerebral palsy

AIM The aim of this study was to describe how the usefulness of the hemiplegic hand develops in children with unilateral cerebral palsy (CP) aged between 18 months and 8 years. METHOD A prospective longitudinal study of 43 children (22 males, 21 females) with unilateral CP was conducted. Inclusion age was 18 months to 5 years 4 months (mean 2y 8mo [SD 1y 1mo]). Children were assessed with the Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA) 3 to 11 times per child over a mean period of 4 years 6 months. Two models were used for grouping children: by AHA score at 18 months and by Manual Ability Classification System(MACS) levels. Estimated average motor development curves were fitted with a nonlinear mixed-effects model. RESULTS Children with a high AHA score (high ability level) at 18 months reached a significantly higher ability level and at a higher progression rate than children with a low 18-month AHA score. Limits of development differed between the three MACS levels. INTERPRETATION Results indicate that the AHA score at 18 months can be used to discuss future development of affected hand use in bimanual tasks in children with unilateral CP.