Risk factors for cerebral palsy among children under five-years old in Assiut governorate, upper Egypt

ABSTRACT

Cerebral palsy [CP] is the most frequent cause of motor handicap among children. Many etiologies and risk factors for the non-progressive lesion in CP are considered to be antenatal, delivery or neonatal. The present case control study aims to investigate the risk factors of cerebral palsy among children under five years in Assiut Governorate. Three hundred children randomly selected; 150 children with CP matched in number, age and sex with normal children as controls. The mean age of cases and controls were 1.99 +/- 1.34 and 1.98 +/- 1.33, respectively. The results revealed that significantly higher percent of cases were left handed compared with controls. Artificial feeding was common among cases. Significant statistical differences were found between two study groups regarding, socioeconomic status, birth order, family history of CP, premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight, birth trauma, cyanosis at birth, and history of encephalitis. No statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in malpresentations, twin pregnancies, recurrent abortion, history of meningitis. In conclusion, birth trauma, low birth weight, artificial feeding and encephalitis are the most frequent risk factors in children with CP in Assiut Governorate. Therefore, antenatal, natal and postnatal health life styles reduce baby's chances of developing cerebral palsy