Abstract: ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of dysphagia in children with cerebral palsy and explore the relation with the gross motor function classification.MethodsThe children with cerebral palsy in our rehabilitation center from June 2009 to June 2010 were assessed by Dysphagia Disorders Survey(DDS), Oral Motor Assessment and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) to explore the relationship between the dysphagia disorders and different gross motor levels.ResultsOf all 105 children with cerebral palsy, 21.9% were mild dysphagia, and 34.3% were moderate to severe dysphagia, resulting in a prevalence of dysphagia of 56.2%. DDS and oral motor scores were changed by GMFCS levels. The correlation coefficient were 0.767 and -0.504 between DDS, oral motor scores and GMFCS, 0.55 and 0.27 between dysphagia, oral motor disorder and the gross motor functions, respectively(P<0.01).ConclusionDysphagia was positively related to severity of motor impairment. Children in GMFCS levels Ⅳ～Ⅴ almost with problems in the pharyngeal and esophageal phases, apparently on the DDS, should be referred for appropriate clinical evaluation of swallowing function.

Key words: cerebral palsy, dysphagia, oral motor disorder, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), assessment