Etiology, outcomes and co-morbidities among cerebral palsy children attending tertiary care hospital, India: a prospective study

Background: Cerebral palsy is the most common aetiology for motor dysfunction among children worldwide. It is associated with range of co-morbid conditions that affects the quality of life. Cerebral palsy has been studied extensively in western countries and there are only few articles available on epidemiological information in developing countries and low resource settings. This study focuses on the aetiology, risk factors, types and co-morbidities in cerebral palsy.Methods: Cerebral palsy children attending tertiary care hospital were prospectively recruited into the study. The study was conducted during January 2017 to July 2018. The cross-sectional study included complete prenatal, natal and postnatal history of the participants, BERA and Ophthalmological examinations were done.Results: One hundred and fifty children with cerebral palsy were enrolled. The mean age of participants were 36'30 months.' Male to female ratio was 2.19:1. The most common maternal risk factor among study participants was consanguinity in marriage (23.33%). 16% had prolonged labour and 10% had toxaemia during pregnancy. 47% of the children were born by institutional normal vaginal delivery. The most common neonatal risk factor was Birth Asphyxia (23%), low birth weight (20%) and neonatal sepsis (21%). 122 had spastic type of cerebral palsy. The most common morbidity associated with cerebral palsy was Gastro intestinal disturbances in 61% of the participants.Conclusions: History of prolonged labour and birth asphyxia were risk factors for cerebral palsy. Spastic CP is the most common type. Malnutrition, Gross Motor delay, Seizures, Mental retardation were the most common morbidities associated with CP.