Post natal factors associated with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Introduction: Cerebral palsy is a neuro developmental condition with various antenatal, intranatal and post natal factors associated with it. Cerebral palsy is multi factorial in its aetiology. Aim: To study postnatal factors associated with Cerebral palsy. Materials & Methods: This is a retrospective study collecting birth history data from the mothers of 160 cerebral palsy and 160 normal children to identify the most common post natal factors associated with cerebral palsy. Results: Statistical analysis of the data collected from birth history of 160 cerebral palsy and 160 normal children showed history of jaundice was present in 26 and 1 child in cerebral palsy and normal children respectively, with estimated odds ratio of 30.8507 with lower and upper 95 % confidence interval ranging from 4.1315 - 230.3683. History of meconium aspiration was present in 32 and 2 cases of Cerebral palsy and normal children respectively with estimated odds ratio of 19.75 with 95% confidence interval ranging from 4.6445 – 83.984. History of seizures was present in 48 and 2 cases of Cerebral palsy and normal children respectively, with estimated odds ratio of 33.8571, with 95% confidence interval ranging from 8.0613 – 142.199 was present. Conclusion: Health education to the mothers, regular health check up by a gynaecologist at primary health care level to identify at risk pregnant woman and improving the resuscitation infrastructure facilities for the new born and effective referral services are very essential to prevent/treat some of the underlying causes/factors responsible for the meconium aspiration, jaundice and seizures in the new born which if neglected are important factors for morbidity and mortality of the new born and for long term neuro-developmental problems of the children.