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Risk factors for cerebral palsy: a case-control study in Greece
E Petridou1, M Koussouri, N Toupadaki
1Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Athens University Medical School, Greece.
Scandinavian Journal of Social Medicine
|March 1, 1996
Summary
This study identified key risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP), including twin membership, low birth weight, and birth trauma. Perinatal factors appear to influence CP risk through interactions with prenatal factors.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) is a complex neurological disorder with multifactorial causes.
- Previous research on CP risk factors has primarily focused on specific geographic or demographic settings.
- Understanding diverse risk factors is crucial for targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate maternal, antenatal, perinatal, socioeconomic, and environmental variables associated with cerebral palsy (CP).
- To examine CP risk factors in a population distinct from those in prior analytic epidemiologic studies.
- To identify potential causal risk factors for CP in the Greater Athens area.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- 103 children diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP) and 254 controls were included.
- Unconditional logistic regression modeling was used for statistical analysis.
Main Results:
- Significant risk factors for CP included twin membership (OR=10.2), congenital malformations (OR=7.5), unhealthy placenta (OR=6.6), and birth trauma (OR=11.5).
- Lower gestational age (OR=0.5 per 4 weeks) and birth weight (OR=0.9 per 100g) were also significant risk factors.
- Abnormal amniotic fluid (OR=3.6), general anesthesia during labor (OR=4.3), and forceps delivery (OR=6.8) were associated with increased CP risk.
Conclusions:
- Several maternal and perinatal factors significantly increase the risk of cerebral palsy (CP).
- The absence of excess perinatal risk factors in CP cases without prenatal factors suggests interaction effects.
- These findings contribute to understanding CP etiology in a unique epidemiological context.