Evaluation of risk factors associated with cerebral palsy in children of Leshan Prefecture, Sichuan: a case control study on 308 cases / 中华预防医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the risk factors associated with pathogenesis of cerebral palsy (CP) in young children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A cross-sectional survey on the prevalence of CP was conducted in young children aged one to six years in Leshan area, Sichuan Province. Cluster sampling and a 1:2 case-control design were used to investigate the risk factors for pathogenesis of CP.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Totally, 148,723 children were surveyed, in which 308 (2.07 per thousand ) were diagnosed as CP. Low birth weight, twins and premature birth were associated with significantly increased prevalence of CP, 16.32, 4.16 and 22.21 times as that in normal birth weight, single birth and full-term birth, respectively. Simple factor analysis showed varied factors involved in pathogenesis of CP. The multivariate analysis revealed that delivery at home, low Apgar score in five minutes, illness during the first month of life, maternal "cold" with fever in their early gestation, low protein (meat and egg) intake during pregnancy and lower education level of mother were risk factors for CP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Prevalence and clinical features of CP in Leshan was comparable to those in the developed countries. Relevant risk factors could be seen primarily in gestational and perinatal periods, which might involve in mothers, children, environment and heredity, etc. To attach more importance in gestational and perinatal care for mothers and babies will be crucial measures to reduce occurrence of CP in young children.</p>

Audiologic Evaluations of Newborns After Failure of Universal Neonatal Hearing Screening / 听力学及言语疾病杂志

Objective To investigate the hearing and audiologic aspect of children who failed the universal newborn hearing screening.Methods A prospective analysis of 136 consecutive records of neonates referred to Chengdu women and children health hospital due to universal neonatal hearing screening failure. The diagnostic evaluation was performed at 3 and 6 months old and the protocol consisted of a standard otologic examination, diagnostic auditory brainstem response(ABR), transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), and middle ear assessment.Results In the initial 3 months old diagnosis, bilateral hearing loss was confirmed in 72 infants and unilateral hearing loss in 64 infants.Among 136 cases,mild hearing loss was found in 109,moderate in 9,severe in 7,and profound in 11 infants. In 6 months old confirmed diagnosis,permanent hearing loss was confirmed in 114 children with normal hearing in 22 infants. Bilateral hearing loss was diagnosed in 52 infants and unilateral hearing loss in 62 infants.Among these 114 cases,mild hearing loss was observed in 87,moderate in 11,severe in 4,and profound in 12.Conclusion The hearing level of the infants continues to change and those referred from hearing screening are in need of an in-depth evaluation and a comprehensive follow-up program.