Risk factors for cerebral palsy in term birth infants

W Kułak1, B Okurowska-Zawada, D Sienkiewicz

  • 1Department of Pediatric Rehabilitation, Medical University in Białystok, Poland. kneur2@wp.pl

Insights

Identifying antenatal, intrapartum, and neonatal risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP) in term infants is crucial. This study highlights pre-eclampsia, placental issues, birth asphyxia, and neonatal complications as significant contributors to CP etiology.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Neurology
  • Obstetrics

Background:

  • Cerebral palsy (CP) is a significant developmental disorder.
  • Identifying risk factors is key to prevention and early intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify antenatal, intrapartum, and neonatal risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP) in term birth infants.
  • To analyze these factors within a hospital-based cohort.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of medical records for 213 children with CP and 280 controls.
  • Study included live births over 36 weeks gestation between 1990 and 2005.
  • Comparison of antenatal, intrapartum, and neonatal events between CP cases and controls.

Main Results:

  • Male infants constituted 57% of the CP group.
  • Spastic tetraplegia and spastic hemiplegia were the most common CP types.
  • Antenatal/intrapartum risks: pre-eclampsia, abruptio placenta, placenta previa. Birth asphyxia was significantly higher in CP infants (p<0.001).
  • Neonatal risks: respiratory distress syndrome, meningitis, and neonatal seizures were associated with increased CP incidence.

Conclusions:

  • Confirms multiple antenatal, intrapartum, and neonatal factors contribute to the etiology of cerebral palsy in term infants.
  • Highlights the importance of monitoring and managing these risk factors during pregnancy and delivery.
Abstract

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