International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Core Sets for children and youth with cerebral palsy: a consensus meeting

• Published in: Developmental medicine and child neurology Vol. 57; no. 2; pp. 149 - 158
• Main Authors: Schiariti, Veronica, Selb, Melissa, Cieza, Alarcos, O'Donnell, Maureen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.02.2015
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age Factors; Cerebral Palsy - classification; Cerebral Palsy - diagnosis; Child; Child, Preschool; Consensus; Decision Making; Disability Evaluation; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; World Health Organization
• ISSN: 0012-1622; 1469-8749
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.12551

Aim The objective of this article is to report on the Core Sets developed for children and youth aged 0 to 18 years, with cerebral palsy (CP) based on the pediatric International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Method A formal decision‐making and consensus process integrating evidence gathered from preparatory studies was followed. Preparatory studies included: a systematic literature review; an international expert survey; a qualitative study of children and youth with CP and their caregivers; and a clinical study. Relevant ICF categories were identified in a formal consensus process by international experts from different backgrounds. Twenty‐six international experts chosen by WHO region with expertise in CP attended the consensus meeting. Results Overall, five ICF Core Sets were developed: a Comprehensive Core Set (135 ICF categories); a Common Brief (25 ICF categories); and three age‐specific Core Sets: under 6 years (31 ICF categories), from 6 to <14 years (35 ICF categories) and from 14 to 18 years (37 ICF categories). Interpretation These ICF Core Sets for children and youth with CP are the first ICF‐based tools developed for this population. The ICF Core Sets for children and youth with CP can be applied in clinical practice, research, teaching and administration. The application of the ICF Core Sets to this population will standardize the functional assessments of CP worldwide. What this paper adds It describes the first ICF‐based tools for children and youth with CP. It integrates international, multidisciplinary perspectives from experts in the field of childhood disability. It standardizes functional assessments of children and youth with CP worldwide. It facilitates the application of the ICF in clinical and research settings.