Etiological factors in cerebral palsy in Prishtina region

To analyze the possible etiological factors, socio-economical characteristics, pregnancy and birth characteristics for Cerebral Palsy in region of Prishtina.

Retrospective study.

National Institute of Public Health in Kosova.

Study was based in the data collected from two different questioners. Questioner for disabled persons and their families, (81), questioner with 150 women who have children with no disabilities.

As possible etiological factors, we can name health problems before pregnancy 7.4%, complications during pregnancy 19.8% and during deliverance 37%. Although none genetically disorder was found to be more frequent in families that had similar disorders. According to the analysis of the socio-economical characteristics, considerable differences were found among mothers with children with cerebral palsy and those with healthy babies. These characteristics can be causing factors of cerebral palsy, especially low level of education of parents, high number of family members and children, bad living conditions and low family living standards. According to analysis of pregnancy and birth characteristics considerable differences were found among mothers of children suffering with cerebral palsy and those with healthy children and these factors can be causing factors, especially pregnancy and birth complications, rare visits to consulting institutions, deliverance without professional help, low weight of the newborn (premature birth and deliverance of older mothers).

Possible etiological factors are: complicated birth and health related problems during and before the pregnancy. Other possible factors can be: poor education of parents, large number of family members and bad living conditions, low birth weight, birth in late ages, and very rare visits to the counseling services for pregnancy.