Correlation between Anthropometric Measurements and Balance in Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy

Background: Children with cerebral palsy suffer from deficits in balance and multiple nutritional deficiencies.
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between anthropometric measurements and balance in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.
Subjects and Methods: Thirty children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy of both sexes with mean age of 8.48 ± 1.47 years participated in this study. Their degree of spasticity ranged from 1 to 2 according to the Modified Ashworth' Scale and they were on level I or II on the Gross Motor Function Classification System. Their mean body mass index (BMI) was 16.16 ± 2.86. Balance was assessed by the Biodex balance system, which is represented by overall stability index (OASI), the mediolateral stability index (MLSI) and the anteroposterior stability index (APSI).
Results: The results showed a moderate positive significant correlation between weight and OASI, APSI and MLSI (r = 0.419, r = 0.364, r = 0.434 respectively). Also, there was a moderate positive significant correlation between height and OASI and MLSI (r = 0.378, r = 0.378 respectively), while there was a moderate positive non-significant correlation with APSI (r = 0.318). Additionally there was a weak positive non-significant correlation between BMI with OASI, APSI and MLSI (r = 0.180, r = 0.152, r = 0.207, p = 0.271 respectively).
Conclusion: Weight, height and BMI influence the ability of children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy to maintain balance.