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Epidemiology of cerebral palsy among children in Ghana
Israt Jahan1,2,3, Sk Md Kamrul Bashar1,2, Francis Laryea4
1Child Sight Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Insights
Cerebral palsy (CP) in Ghana affects many children with severe impairments. This study highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve their health and well-being.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) epidemiology in Ghana is not well-documented.
- Understanding CP epidemiology is vital for effective interventions in Ghana.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epidemiology of cerebral palsy (CP) in Ghanaian children.
- To establish the first institution-based CP register in Ghana (Ghana CP Register-GCPR).
Main Methods:
- Established the Ghana CP Register-GCPR for children under 18.
- Collected data on socio-demographics, risk factors, motor type, GMFCS, associated impairments, education, and rehabilitation.
Main Results:
- Registered 455 children with CP (mean age 5.9 years).
- High prevalence of preterm birth (52.0%), low birthweight (21.1%), and perinatal CP (79.6%).
- Most children had spastic quadriplegia (55.9%), severe motor impairment (GMFCS III-V: 60.5%), and associated impairments (70.3%).
- Significant unmet needs: 20.5% never received rehabilitation, 69.6% of school-aged children not enrolled in school.
Conclusions:
- Ghana faces a high burden of severe CP and associated impairments.
- Tailored interventions are crucial to enhance the health and well-being of children with CP in Ghana.
Background:
The epidemiology of cerebral palsy (CP) is poorly described in Ghana. These data are crucial for evidence-based intervention for children with CP in the country.
Objectives:
We aimed to describe the epidemiology of CP among children in Ghana.
Method:
We established the first institution-based register of children with CP in Ghana (Ghana CP Register-GCPR). Children with confirmed CP aged < 18 years were registered following a detailed neurodevelopmental assessment. Socio-demographics, risk factors, predominant motor type and topography, gross motor function classification system (GMFCS), associated impairments, education and rehabilitation status were documented.
Results:
Between October 2018 and February 2020, 455 children were registered (mean [standard deviation {s.d.}] age at assessment: 5.9 [4.1] years). Preterm birth and low birthweight were reported in 52.0% and 21.1% children respectively. Most children (79.6%) had a pre- or perinatally acquired CP and the mean (s.d.) age of CP diagnosis was 22.2 (21.6) months. Overall, 55.9% of children had spastic tri- or quadriplegia, 60.5% had GMFCS level III-V and 70.3% had ≥ 1 associated impairment. However, 20.5% had never received rehabilitation services and 69.6% of school-aged children in the GCPR were not enrolled in schools.
Conclusion:
The study findings indicate a high burden of severe motor and associated impairment among children with CP in Ghana which highlights the need for tailored interventions to improve health and well-being of children with CP in the country.
Contribution:
The study highlights the need for interventions to improve functional outcome, health and well-being of children with CP in Ghana.
