Clinical profiles of ambulatory and non-ambulatory school-aged children and young people with cerebral palsy in Aotearoa New Zealand: implications for the health education interface.

Authors

Karen Adams, Julia Hill, Alexandra Sorhage, Anja Vorster, Julie Blamires

Published in

The New Zealand medical journal. Volume 139. Issue 1644. Pages 75-93. Oct 23, 2026. Epub Oct 23, 2026.

Abstract

In Aotearoa New Zealand, ambulatory ability impacts Ministry of Education - Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga therapy funding for school-aged children with cerebral palsy, yet demographic and clinical profiles across mobility groups remain poorly described. This study utilises data from the New Zealand Cerebral Palsy Register/Te Rēhita a Hōkai Nukurangi Aotearoa to compare ambulatory and non-ambulatory school-aged children, highlighting their distinct clinical needs.
A correlational, observational analysis of 1,149 participants aged 5-21 years was conducted. Data were categorised into Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I-III, and GMFCS IV and V, with significant associations identified using Chi-squared tests and univariate logistic regression.
Three hundred and forty-one (29.7%) children were classified as GMFCS IV and V. Compared to GMFCS I-III, those classified as GMFCS IV and V were more likely to have epilepsy (odds ratio [OR]=7.2 [5.2-10.0]), bilateral deafness (OR=5.4 [2.6-11.4]), moderate or severe intellectual impairment (OR=21.9 [13.3-35.9]) and be non-verbal (OR=89.1 [48.3-164.5]) or functionally blind (OR=63.4 [30.3-133.0]) (all 95% confidence interval [95% CI]). GMFCS levels corresponded with higher Manual Ability Classification System, Communication Function Classification System and Eating and Drinking Ability Classification System levels.
Non-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy have more complex, co-occurring impairments that extend beyond physical limitations and require support outside of school-based service provision. The findings underscore the need for whole-of-life, transdisciplinary approaches to both funding and management in Aotearoa New Zealand.

PMID:
42912972
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 24 Oct 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.