The comparison of qualıty of lıfe ın chıldren wıth cerebral palsy and spına bıfıda

The aim of this study is to compare the quality of life (QOL) of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and spina bifida (SB). 96 children with CP and 70 children with SB, aged 5 to 18, attending a special training and rehabilitation institution, were enrolled in the study. The study included obtaining children?s demographic information, determination of their motor function levels by Gross Motor Classification System (GMFCS), determination of their functional independence levels by Functional Independence Measure (WeeFIM) developed for children, and assessment of their QOL using the Child Health Questionnaire - Parent Report (CHQ-PF50). In the statistical analysis, a significant difference was found to exist in the QOL and functional independence levels between children with CP and children with SB, and QOL of children with CP was found to be lower than that QOL of the children with SB (p<0.05). In children with CP, QOL was found to be affected by clinical type, extremity involvement, GMFCS level, and functional independence level in their daily life activities (DLA) (p<0.05). In children with SB, QOL was found to be affected by lesion level, GMFCS level, family?s income level, and functional independence level in their DLA (p<0.05). A difference in QOL?s parameters of social restrictions particularly due to emotional or behavioral difficulties, behavior, global behavior, emotional effect on parents, and time effect on parents was found between children with CP and children with SB (p<0.05), and children with CP were found to be more affected by these parameters (p<0.05). CP, which is a frequent chronic disability in childhood, substantially decreases QOL of children, and may increase the influence on family. We believe that functional activities and practices that will increase QOL in children with SP and children with SB, particularly in children with CP, are important in terms of QOL of children.Keywords: Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Quality of Life, Functional Independence Level, Health-related Quality of Life