Incontinence and MRI Results in Children with Cerebral Palsy

More than 50 % of children and adults with cerebral palsy experience lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). This can negatively influence quality of life of the child and the total social environment. Previous research demonstrated that the brain lesion, characteristic for cerebral palsy (CP), is a prognostic factor for the functional abilities of a child with CP. Previous research within our department demonstrated functional impairment as a risk factor for incontinence. This demonstrates an indirect connection between the brain lesion and incontinence of a child with CP. However, this connection isn't alway correct as some children with high functionality also demonstrate incontinence. As bladder control is also regulated by higher brain centers, the present study wants to investigate a direct connection between the brain lesion of the child, visible by means of MRI, and the incontinence status of the child. .

The current study is a cross-sectional observational study in which a correlation is investigated between known anatomical MRI results and the continence status of a child with CP. Although neuroimaging isn't seen as a requirement for the definition and diagnosis of CP2, MRI imaging is often part of diagnostic evaluation. The Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE) working group composed the MRI classification system or MRICS classifying neuroimaging results in maldevelopments, predominant white matter injury, predominant grey matter injury, miscellaneous and normal. These results will be correlated with results of the validated Vancouver symptoms score for dysfunctional elimination syndrome.