Paediatric cerebral palsy prevalence and high-risk factors in Henan province, Central China.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of, and risk factors for, cerebral palsy in Henan province, China.

METHODS

The prevalence of cerebral palsy in children aged 0-6 years between September 2011 and September 2012 was investigated using a stratified-clustered-random sampling method. An age-, sex- , and residence-matched control group of typically developing children was recruited. Univariate analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used to identify risk factors associated with cerebral palsy.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cerebral palsy in Henan province was 2.37 per 1,000 live births. Risk factors included: moving into a newly painted room; complicating maternal diseases (infection, heart disease, hypertension, anaemia, diabetes, kidney disease) during pregnancy; high gravidity (> 3); foetal asphyxia; low birth-weight (< 2,500 g); and hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of cerebral palsy in Henan province was 2.37 per 1,000 live births. Parents and clinicians should be aware of the risk factors for cerebral palsy.