Association between motor and mental functioning in toddlers with cerebral palsy

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the association between motor and mental functioning in toddlers with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: The Mental and Motor Scales of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Second Edition (BSID-II) were administered.

Subjects: Seventy-eight toddlers with CP (mean age 2 years 7 months, SD 1 month; 43 boys, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-V).

Results: Spearman correlation coefficient between mental and motor functioning was 0.67 (p <0.01). Sixty-five percent (51/78) of the children performed at the same level in mental and motor functioning, of whom 36 performed significantly delayed and 15 within normal limits. Thirty-five percent of the children were more delayed in motor functioning than in mental functioning.

Conclusion: In toddlers with CP, an association was found between mental and motor functioning. When motor and mental functioning did not develop synchronously, it was always in favour of mental functioning. This study emphasizes the importance of examining both mental functioning and motor functioning separately of pre-school children with CP.