What is the classification of a child's push, specifically referring to the (Pediatric) assessment of a child's ability to push or bear weight?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 26, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

The classification of a child's push, specifically referring to the assessment of a child's ability to push or bear weight, is reliably classified using the 5-level Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) Extended & Revised in children 2 years or older. In the context of pediatric assessment, the ability to push or bear weight is a crucial aspect of gross motor function development. According to the study published in JAMA Pediatrics 1, the GMFCS is a widely used classification system to assess the severity of motor disability in children with cerebral palsy. The key points to consider when assessing a child's ability to push or bear weight include:

  • The child's age, as motor severity is difficult to accurately predict in infants younger than 2 years 1
  • The use of standardized tools, such as the HINE, combined with neuroimaging data, to predict motor severity in infants younger than 2 years 1
  • The importance of cautious prediction of motor severity in young children, as almost half of all infants younger than 2 years have their GMFCS reclassified 1 In clinical practice, the GMFCS Extended & Revised is the recommended classification system for assessing a child's ability to push or bear weight, as it provides a reliable and standardized way to evaluate gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy. The benefits of using the GMFCS include:
  • Improved accuracy in predicting motor severity
  • Enhanced ability to plan for a child's future capabilities
  • Better understanding of a child's gross motor function development By using the GMFCS, healthcare professionals can provide more effective support and interventions to promote optimal gross motor function development in children with cerebral palsy.

From the Research

Classification of a Child's Push

The classification of a child's push, specifically referring to the pediatric assessment of a child's ability to push or bear weight, is not directly addressed in the provided studies.

Related Concepts

However, the studies do discuss the assessment of injuries and abuse in children, including:

  • Sentinel injuries, which are visible, minor, poorly explained injuries in young infants that raise concern for abuse 2, 3
  • The importance of a thorough physical exam in detecting sentinel injuries 3
  • The use of imaging studies, such as skeletal surveys and neuroimaging, in the medical evaluation of sentinel injuries 3

Key Points

Some key points related to the assessment of children's injuries and abuse include:

  • Child maltreatment is a serious public health concern, and young infants and children are at the highest risk of being abused 4
  • Sentinel injuries can signal concurrent clinically occult but more serious injuries or precede more significant trauma from abuse 3
  • The effects of child maltreatment can have a profound impact on brain development, particularly in the first years of life 5
  • Secure attachment organization can protect the developing brain from the worst effects of the stress response 5

Limitations

It is essential to note that the provided studies do not directly address the classification of a child's push or bear weight. Therefore, there is limited information available to provide a comprehensive answer to this question 6, 4, 2, 3, 5

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Child Maltreatment Red Flags: Two Cases of Bruising in Premobile Infants.

Journal of pediatric health care : official publication of National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates & Practitioners, 2019

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.