Inconsistencies with Physical Functioning and the Child Health Questionnaire in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Although the CHQ PF subscale correlated well with the GMFCS, the CHQ questions on physical functioning resulted in unexpected responses in approximately 1 in 8 subjects with severe CP. These unanticipated responses to the PF subscale questions may be due to ambiguity in the questions (which do not differentiate between health problems and disability) or to alternative parental interpretation of physical functioning. Confusion in differentiating health status and functional status may make the CHQ less useful in children with significant disabilities.