Spina bifida and cerebral palsy.

A new test of posture and mobility has been applied to a small group of spina bifida children with different lower limb motor levels, and to a further group of children with both spina bifida and associated cerebral palsy of the hemiplegic type. It is demonstrated that this test of posture and mobility is applicable to spina bifida children and that gross motor handicap is therefore quantifiable. The posture and mobility scores of children with spina bifida or cerebral palsy is significantly less than those of normal children and the scores for children with both spina bifida as well as cerebral palsy is significantly lower than having either alone.