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Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences

Year: 2019 | Volume: 22 | Issue: 5 | Page No.: 214-219
DOI: 10.3923/pjbs.2019.214.219
Impact of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Functional Abilities and Muscle Strength in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Samah Attia El Shemy, Fatma Essam Amer and Hanan Ali Madani

Abstract: Background and Objective: The most common nutritional deficiency is iron deficiency that leads to anemia. The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact of iron deficiency anemia on functional abilities and muscle strength in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Materials and Methods: One hundred children with spastic CP from both gender ranging in age from 4-6 years participated in this study. They were selected from the Outpatient Clinic of Pediatrics, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University. The selected children were assigned into 2 groups of equal number i.e., 5 children in each group. Group A included 50 anemic spastic CP children and Group B included 50 non-anemic spastic CP children. All children were evaluated for hemoglobin, serum iron, functional abilities, hand grip strength and knee extensor strength. Results: The results showed statistically significant differences in all measured variables between both groups in favor of group B (p<0.05). Additionally, there were strong positive significant correlations between hemoglobin and motor skills and muscle strength as well as serum iron and all measured variables. Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia had a negative impact on functional abilities and strength. Anemic children had a lower motor function scores and strength compared to non-anemic children.

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How to cite this article
Samah Attia El Shemy, Fatma Essam Amer and Hanan Ali Madani, 2019. Impact of Iron Deficiency Anemia on Functional Abilities and Muscle Strength in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 22: 214-219.

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