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Influence of Gender on Surgical Outcomes in Cerebral Palsy

Interesting research was published on the influence of gender on surgical outcomes in 34 children with spastic diplegia. Initially following surgery there was no difference on the Gillette Gait Scale between girls and boys. The children were followed for 10 years. Over the course of the 10 years, the girls maintained their enhanced walking ability whereas the boys exhibited a constant deterioration of walking skills. The authors conclude that gender may influence surgical outcomes in children with cerebral palsy.

Personally, I have not noticed this with the population of children that I have worked following surgical intervention. Have any of you experienced this – boys and girls performing differently?

Reference: Zwick EB, Svehlík M, Kraus T, Steinwender G, Linhart WE. Does gender influence the long-term outcome of single-event multilevel surgery in spastic cerebral palsy? J Pediatr Orthop B. 2011 Oct 24. [Epub ahead of print]