Congenital Anomalies in Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Developmental Pediatrics
• Genetics

Background:

• Congenital anomalies are recognized as significant risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP), particularly in term infants.
• Existing research highlights a notable prevalence of congenital anomalies among individuals with CP, yet gaps in understanding persist.
• Variability in study methodologies, including cohort criteria and anomaly classification, complicates direct comparisons.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and synthesize evidence on the association between congenital anomalies and cerebral palsy (CP).
• To identify common types of congenital anomalies in children with CP.
• To investigate differences in anomaly prevalence between term and preterm infants with CP.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of eight population-based studies.
• Inclusion of studies with a total of 10,081 participants.
• Analysis of reported congenital anomalies in children with pre/perinatal and postneonatal brain injury.

Main Results:

• Congenital anomalies were present in 12%–32% of children with pre/perinatal brain injury and 20% with postneonatal brain injury.
• Microcephaly and hydrocephaly were the most frequent cerebral anomalies; circulatory system anomalies were most common non-cerebral.
• A higher proportion of congenital anomalies was observed in term infants compared to preterm infants with CP.

Conclusions:

• Congenital anomalies are frequently observed in individuals diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
• Collaborative research is essential to address study variations and elucidate specific pathways linking congenital anomalies to CP.
• Understanding these associations may reveal opportunities for targeted prevention strategies.