EBP Compendium: Summary of Clinical Practice Guideline

American Academy of Neurology – Medical Speciality Society
Practice Parameter: Diagnostic Assessment of the Child with Cerebral Palsy: Report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society
Ashwal, S., Russman, B. S., et al. (2004).
Neurology, 62(6), 851–63.

AGREE Rating: Recommended with Provisos

Description:

This guideline provides recommendations for the assessment of children with cerebral palsy (CP). The primary audience for this guideline is neurologists. The recommendations are classified A, B, C or U based on the strength and consistency of evidence. Level A recommendations are "established as effective, ineffective or harmful" and based on evidence from consistent high quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Level B recommendations are "probably effective, ineffective or harmful" and based on evidence from a high quality RCT or consistent evidence from two or more lower quality RCTs. Level C recommendations are "possibly effective, ineffective or harmful" and based on evidence from at least one low quality RCT or consistent evidence from two or more controlled trials. Level U recommendations indicate that the data is "inadequate or conflicting" and therefore, the treatment is unproven.

Recommendations:

• Assessment/Diagnosis
  • Assessment Areas
    • Speech & Language, Cognition & Hearing
      • "Because of the high incidence of associated conditions, children with CP should be screened for mental retardation, ophthalmologic and hearing impairments, and speech and language disorders" (Level A Recommendation) (p. 860).
    • Swallowing
      • "Nutrition, growth, and other aspects of swallowing dysfunction should be monitored. Further specific evaluations are warranted if screening suggests areas of impairment" (p. 860).

Keywords: Cerebral Palsy

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Added to Compendium: November 2010