Position as a cause of deformity in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

The asymmetrical deformities in 20 children with various types of cerebral palsy are compared with 20 children without cerebral palsy who have the so-called 'squint' baby syndrome (asymmetrical deformities of plagiocephaly, unilateral bat ear, facial and thoracic asymmetry, pelvic obliquity and apparent shortening of one leg). It is suggested that the 'squint' baby syndrome and the 'windswept' child syndrome in children with cerebral palsy are stages of the same syndrome and that in both the deformities are caused by the effect of gravity on an immobile growing child, rather than spasticity or muscle imbalance. Asymmetrical deformity should therefore be amenable to physiotherapeutic intervention, rather than trying to modify maturation of the damaged brain. As the 'windswept' cerebralpalsied child can develop some of the most severe deformities seen in cerebral palsy, it is important that asymmetrical deformities should be prevented.