Pediatric Physical Therapy Health Article

Definition

Pediatric physical therapy is concerned with the examination, evaluation, diagnosis, prognosis, and intervention of children, aged birth through adolescence, who are experiencing functional limitations or disability due to trauma, a disorder, or disease process.

Purpose

Pediatric physical therapy is indicated when a child has a pathology or suffers a trauma which results in an impairment leading to the loss of function and/or societal disability. Pathologies may include non-progressive neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, which results from trauma to the brain during or shortly after birth. Children born with genetic syndromes, heart and/or lung defects, hydrocephalus, spina bifida, fetal alcohol syndrome, or drug addiction may also be seen by physical therapists. Pathologies resulting in musculoskeletal impairments include, but are not limited to: juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, scoliosis, peripheral nerve injury, arthrogryposis, osteogenesis imperfecta, and muscular dystrophy. Acquired pathologies that may require physical therapy include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and cancer.

Pediatric physical therapists are employed in several different settings, including hospitals, outpatient clinics, and school systems. In the hospital, a pediatric physical therapist may work with patients such as those recovering from heart or lung conditions or surgery, burn trauma, orthopedic surgeries, or any number of other conditions. In addition, many neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) also employ physical therapists to evaluate and treat high-risk or premature infants. In an outpatient setting, the same children may be seen further along in their recovery. Children with lifelong conditions may be referred to outpatient clinics upon manifestation of secondary impairments. School physical therapists are employed to insure that children with disabilities or developmental difficulties are functioning adequately in their least restrictive environment.

In any case, the goal of treatment is to diminish impairments and functional limitations to prevent or decrease disability. Treatment may be focused on improving developmental tasks, motor planning, manipulation skills, balance, and/or coordination. The affected child may present with difficulties with ambulation, positioning, communication, attention, cognition, and/or motor function. All of these problems need to be addressed, as they can result in the inability to keep up with peers or perform work at school.