Cerebral palsy in Brazil: A multicentre, cross-sectional, descriptive study
Eliana Valverde Magro Borigato1, Bruno Leonardo Scofano Dias1, Erica Ueno Imamura1
1SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals, Brasília, Brazil.
Insights
This study describes individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) in Brazil, finding that despite advances, most have severe motor impairments. Supporting registries in low- and middle-income countries is crucial for family-centered care.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex neurological disorder affecting movement and posture.
- Understanding the demographics and clinical characteristics of individuals with CP is essential for effective healthcare planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) receiving care at the SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals in Brazil.
Main Methods:
- A multicentre, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted.
- Data from 17,771 individuals diagnosed with CP were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The predominant form was spastic CP (75.5%) with bilateral involvement (75.9%).
- Perinatal risk factors like preterm birth (48.4%) and low birthweight (48.0%) were highly prevalent.
- Over half of the participants (57.8%) presented with severe motor impairment (Gross Motor Function Classification System levels III-V).
Conclusions:
- Demographic and clinical findings align with those from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Despite improvements in prenatal and perinatal care, severe motor deficits persist in individuals with CP.
- Establishing multicentre and national registries in LMICs is vital to tailor family-centered rehabilitation strategies, considering the impact of psychosocial factors.
Aim:
To describe individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) followed at the SARAH Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals in Brazil.
Method:
This was a multicentre, cross-sectional, descriptive study. Individuals diagnosed analysis (n = 17 771).
Results:
The mean age at the first visit was 3 years 5 months (SD = 3 years 1 month), with 55.3% participants being male. At birth, 52.0% had normal weight and 50.3% were born at term. Perinatal risk factors were the most prevalent: preterm birth (48.4%); low birthweight (48.0%); and hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (40.1%). Spastic CP (75.5%), bilateral involvement (75.9%), and Gross Motor Function Classification System levels III to V (57.8%) were predominant.
Interpretation:
Demographic and clinical data are comparable with previous reports from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite clinical advances in prenatal and perinatal care, most individuals with CP had severely affected motor function. As the prevalence of CP is higher in LMICs, and considering the direct influence of psychosocial factors on children with CP, it is essential to support multicentre and national registries in LMICs to adapt family-centred rehabilitation planning guidelines.
