Pain symptoms in patients with severe cerebral palsy: Prevalence among patients with higher degree of locomotor impairment

Purpose: To evaluate the presence of pain in patients diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy (CP) according to the degree of motor function impairment.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on students of the Association of Parents and Friends of Exceptional Children (APAE) diagnosed with cerebral palsy and with severe locomotor disability (GMFCS levels IV and V). The study included students of both genders and of any age. After signing the consent form, a structured questionnaire was administered to parents or caregivers to collect data on the history of the illness and the Paediatric Pain Profile (PPP). A score ≥ 14 out of a possible 60 points suggests the presence of pain.Results: A total of 93 subjects were evaluated. Of the 44 subjects classified with GMFCS level IV, 12 (21.4 %) suffer pain and among the 49 subjects classified with level V, 44 (78.6 %) had pain symptoms (ICDDN ≥ 14, PR = 3.29, 95 % CI 2.01 - 5.38, p < 0.01).Conclusion: The results show that pain is prevalent in individuals with severe CP. Furthermore, it is more prevalent in patients with a higher degree of locomotor impairment (GMFCS – level V).Keywords: Cerebral palsy, Pain measurement, Locomotor disability, Gross motor function classification system (GMFCS

<b>Socioeconomic profile of children hospitalized by community acquired pneumonia</b> - doi: 10.4025/actascihealthsci.v35i2.18746

Acute respiratory infections are frequent and are the leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to verify the socioeconomic profile of children hospitalized with community-acquired pneumonia. We realized a prospective study where social data were collected by direct interview conducted with parents and guardians and supplemented by information from medical records of children under five years of age hospitalized in wards at Hospital Infantil Pequeno Príncipe in the city of Curitiba. All children had clinical and radiological diagnosis of pneumonia. Twenty-two children were included in the study so. Eighteen children (82%) had family incomes below three minimum wages. In 36% (n = 8) of cases the mother worked outside the home. Living with household smokers was also observed in 36% of cases. Elementary education was found in 82% of mothers. Seventeen children (77%) were breastfed for less than six months. Nine children attended day care. Less than 14% (n = 3) of the children were daughters of teenage mothers. This study underscored the importance of socioeconomic factors on the morbidity of community pneumonia in childhood, being family income, maternal education and early weaning the factors most frequently rated among the internees