Epidemiology of low bone mineral density and fractures in children with severe cerebral palsy: a systematic review

• Published in: Developmental medicine and child neurology 2009-10, Vol.51 (10), p.773-778
• Main Authors: MERGLER, SANDRA, EVENHUIS, HELEEN M, BOOT, ANNEMIEKE M, DE MAN, STELLA A, B BINDELS‐DE HEUS, KAREN G C, HUIJBERS, WIM A R, PENNING, CORINE
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Bone Density; Cerebral Palsy; Cerebral Palsy - complications; Cerebral Palsy - epidemiology; Child; Child, Preschool; Eligibility; Epidemiology; Evidence; Female; Fractures, Bone - diagnosis; Fractures, Bone - epidemiology; Fractures, Bone - etiology; Grading; Guidelines; Humans; Incidence; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Intellectual Disability; Literature Reviews; Male; Meta Analysis; Multiple Disabilities; Multiple Regression Analysis; Outcome Measures; Physical Disabilities; Prevalence; Randomized Controlled Trials; Rating Scales; Resistance (Psychology); Risk Factors; Scientific Concepts; Severity of Illness Index; Special Education Teachers; Statistical Analysis; Statistical Significance; Systematic review; Teaching Methods; Validity; Verbal Communication; Young Children
• ISSN: 0012-1622; 1469-8749
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2009.03384.x

Aim  Children with severe cerebral palsy (CP) are at risk for developing low bone mineral density (BMD) and low‐impact fractures. The aim of this study was to provide a systematic literature review of the epidemiology of fractures and low BMD in children with severe CP, with an emphasis on risk factors. Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels IV and V were criteria for severe cerebral palsy. Method  The literature (PubMed) was searched and eligible studies were given a level of evidence score using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria. Results  Seven studies were found concerning epidemiology of fractures, 11 studies described epidemiology of low BMD, and 14 studies concerned risk factors. The methodological quality of most of these studies was poor. Five studies were considered well‐conducted with low risk of confounding and bias. In these studies, the incidence of fractures in children with moderate to severe CP approached 4% per year, whereas the prevalence of low BMD in the femur was 77%. Limited ambulation, feeding difficulties, previous fractures, anticonvulsant use, and lower body fat mass were associated with low BMD z‐scores. Interpretation  There is only a limited amount of high‐quality evidence on low BMD and fractures in children with severe CP.