Function and respiratory muscle strength in children with cerebral palsy: case report

Abstract

Introduction: Cerebral palsy is a non-progressive disorder secondary to injury to the immature brain and which mainly results in motor disturbance. Objective: To investigate the relationship between lung function and respiratory muscle strength in children aged six to 12 years with cerebral palsy GMFCS levels I, II and III. Methods: This is a case report, with convenience sample, as a single evaluation that was constituted in: identification card and characterization, anthropometric evaluation, pulmonary function and muscle strength tests were performed. Results: The 3 participants had preserved pulmonary function when compared to their predicted values. Regarding respiratory muscle strength, the less functional participant, GMFCS III, presented respiratory muscle strength lower than 50% of predicted. Conclusion: In the present study, there was no relation between pulmonary function and respiratory muscle strength in children between the ages of 6 and 12 years, with Cerebral Paralysis of the diplegia type, GMFCS levels II and III.