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Cerebral palsy and multiple births in China
1National Center for Maternal and Infant Health, Beijing Medical University, People's Republic of China. Liujm@ncmih.bjmu.edu.cn
International Journal of Epidemiology
|May 19, 2000
Summary
Multiple births in China have a 6.5 times higher prevalence of cerebral palsy (CP) than singletons. This study highlights multiple pregnancy as an independent risk factor for CP across all birth weights.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) prevalence in multiple births in China remains unstudied.
- Multiple pregnancy is a known risk factor for CP, but its independent effect needs clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of cerebral palsy in multiple births in China.
- To investigate the influence of multiple pregnancy on cerebral palsy, controlling for birth weight.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 388,192 children under 7 years in seven Chinese cities.
- Data on birth weight and plurality were collected from health records.
- Stratified analysis by birth weight and its standard normal deviate compared CP prevalence in multiples and singletons.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of CP in multiples was 9.7 per 1000 children, 6.5 times higher than in singletons.
- Neonatal mortality was highest in multiples with very low birth weight (<1500g).
- After controlling for birth weight, multiple pregnancy was an independent risk factor for CP in all strata.
Conclusions:
- Multiple pregnancy is an independent risk factor for cerebral palsy.
- The survival quality of Chinese infants weighing 1500-2499g requires improvement.
- Direct comparison of birth weight-specific prevalence may be misleading; birth weight normal deviate is a better indicator.