Assessment of quality of life in children with cerebral palsy from a tertiary care hospital in India: A cross-sectional study

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) remains a leading cause of childhood disability worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The associated motor and cognitive impairments significantly impact the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of affected children and their families. Validated tools like the CP-QOL-Child questionnaire can help quantify these effects, but the Indian data remain limited.
Objectives: To assess the quality of life (QOL) in children with CP using the CP-QOL-Child questionnaire and to correlate the QOL scores with patient demographics and clinical profiles.
Method: This observational, cross-sectional study included 50 children with CP attending a tertiary care centre in Western India. The caregiver version of the CP-QOL-Child questionnaire was used in Hindi and Marathi following translation validation. Clinical data, GMFCS classification, school attendance, maternal education, and socioeconomic status were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to determine associations with QOL scores.
Results: Mean QOL score was 26.69±14.58. Children with diplegic CP and lower GMFCS levels (II/III) had significantly higher QOL scores. Attendance in special schools and higher maternal education positively influenced QOL. No significant association was found with age, gender, epilepsy, or nutritional status. Cronbach’s alpha for most QOL domains exceeded 0.7, confirming internal consistency.
Conclusions: Children with CP have significantly impaired QOL, primarily influenced by their motor function and maternal education. The CP-QOL-Child tool is a reliable instrument in the Indian context.