Cerebral palsy.

Epidemiology of cerebral palsy is complex, being influenced by various factors, some of which are unknown and it is commonly accompanied by other abnormalities, thus involving a variety of specialization in their treatment. In a period of 1978-1985, a retrospective study of cerebral palsy cases was performed at the Child Neurology Subdivision Department of Child Health School of Medicine, University of Sumatera/Dr. Pirngadi Hospital, Medan. There were 40 cases (1.59%) out of 2,505 new child neurological cases, consisting of 20 males (50%) and 20 females (50%). The youngest was 4 months and the oldest was 7 years and 5 months of age. Thirty two cases (80%) appeared predominantly with the age less than 3 years. The predominant cause was neonatal asphyxia in 11 cases (27.5%), the uncertain causes were found 8 cases (20%). Spastic cerebral palsy was found in 28 cases (70%) and there were 13 cases (32.5%) accompanied by microcephaly.