Risk factors evaluation of cerebral palsy in Hazara division Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan: A cross-sectional survey
Keramat Ullah Keramat1, Muhammad Athar Khalily2, Abdul Haseeb Bhutta1
1Helping Hand Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Mansehra, Pakistan.
Insights
Maternal anemia and delayed infant crying were the primary risk factors identified in mothers of children with cerebral palsy. This study highlights key areas for potential intervention to reduce cerebral palsy prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Identifying maternal and child risk factors is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of prenatal, natal, and postnatal risk factors in mothers of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
- To evaluate the association of these risk factors with cerebral palsy in the Hazara Division, Pakistan.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 involving mothers of children with cerebral palsy aged 1-18 years.
- Data was collected using a modified Surveillance of cerebral palsy in Europe questionnaire.
- Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.
Main Results:
- The study included 300 children (63.3% males) with a mean age of 5.43 years.
- Maternal anemia (59.6%) was the leading prenatal risk factor.
- Delayed crying (63.3%) was the most significant postnatal factor; consanguinity was reported by 66.7% of mothers.
- Most deliveries (67%) occurred in hospitals.
Conclusions:
- Maternal anemia and delayed crying emerged as significant risk factors associated with cerebral palsy in the study population.
- These findings underscore the importance of addressing anemia in pregnant women and monitoring infant crying patterns for potential early identification of cerebral palsy risks.
Objective:
To evaluate the prevalence of risk factors of cerebral palsy in the mothers of children with cerebral palsy.
Methods:
The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 at the Helping Hand Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Mansehra, Pakistan, and comprised mothers of cerebral palsy children aged 1-18 years from the Hazara Division. Data was collected by using a modified form of Surveillance of cerebral palsy in Europe questionnaire regarding prenatal, natal and postal natal risk factors. Data was analysed using SPSS 21.
Results:
Of the 300 children, 190(63.3%) were males and 110(36.7%) were females. The mean age of the children was 5.43±3.63 years and that of their mothers at the time of delivery was 26.16±5.11 years. Among the prenatal risk factors, anaemia was the leading factor 179(59.6%), while delayed crying 187(63.3%) was the major postnatal factor. Consanguinity was reported by 200(66.7%) mothers. Majority of the deliveries 201(67%) had taken place at hospitals.
Conclusion:
Anaemia and delayed crying were the major risk factors identified in mothers and children, respectively, in the study sample.
