Prevalence of Cerebral Palsy in Neonates with Risk Factors

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of cerebral palsy among neonates with risk factors and the relationship between cerebral palsy and risk factors. Among 6,220 neonates who were born in Yonsei University Hospital between January 1, 1990 and December 31, 1992; 699 neonates had more than one risk factors which were prematurity, low birth weight, perinatal asphyxia, and hyperbilirubinemia. This study comprised 361 neonates with risk factors who could be followed up to 1 year of age. The prevalence of cerebral palsy was 4.7% and the prevalence of delayed development was 2.5%. Among 264 cases with a prematurity, 15(5.7%) cases were diagnosed as cerebral palsy. Among 239 cases with a low birth weight, 12(5.0%) cases were diagnosed as cerebral palsy. Among 228 neonates with an APGAR score below 7 point in 1 minute, 16(7.0%) cases were diagnosed as cerebral palsy and among 79 neonates with an APGAR score below 7 point in 5 minute, 9(11.4%) cases were diagnosed as cerebral palsy.