Levels of continence in children with cerebral palsy.

Little is known about the levels of continence in children with cerebral palsy and what factors affect this. This study was conducted to determine levels of urine and stool continence in children with cerebral palsy in relation to their learning disability (LD) and mobility. The aim was to enable us to predict level of continence that can be achieved for these children with a given level of learning disability and mobility. Data were obtained from medical notes and by telephone interview on mobility, degree of learning disability and urine and stool continence of 55 children in Southern Derbyshire. Most of the children who have nil to moderate disabilities in learning and mobility were able to achieve a decent level of continence around a median age of three years. Therefore, their toilet training should be started at the usual age with ongoing support from parents/carers. In children with severe learning disability and severe immobility, the probability of continence is very slim after the age of eight years. After this age it may be better to divert resources to other aspects of care, for example nutrition and physiotherapy, to improve their quality of life.