Which gait pattern is most likely associated with poorer walking outcomes in children with Cerebral Palsy?

Dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary movements that can interfere with a child's ability to establish and maintain an efficient and coordinated walking pattern. In children with Cerebral Palsy, dyskinetic movements may present as twisting, writhing, or jerking of limbs, which can significantly impact balance and stability during ambulation. This results in poorer walking outcomes because the irregularity of movements detracts from a fluid and predictable gait.

In contrast, children with diplegia, hemiplegia, or ataxia may experience different deficits in motor control but are often able to engage in more predictable patterns of movement. Diplegia typically involves more significant impairment in the lower limbs, while hemiplegia affects one side of the body, each presenting specific challenges but often allowing for more defined gait strategies compared to dyskinesia. Ataxia, characterized by a lack of coordination and balance, can also present challenges but generally involves more consistent patterns than the erratic involuntary movements seen in dyskinesia. Therefore, dyskinesia is linked to the most significant walking difficulties in this population.