A Snapshot of 1001 Children Presenting with Cerebral Palsy to a Children's Disability Hospital.

BACKGROUND

Cerebral palsy (CP) has largely been an unaddressed problem in low and middle income countries (LMIC's). The purpose of this retrospective study is to provide a facility-based snapshot of CP in Nepal.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review of 1001 patients diagnosed as having cerebral palsy, presenting to our institution from December 2008 to December 2011, was carried out.

RESULTS

Majority of cases were found to be a result of birth complications and post-natal infections. Most children with CP were born at home, presented after walking age and came from socioeconomically unstable or borderline households. Less than 20% were attending school. Spastic diplegia was the most common presentation. Children with post-natal spasticity secondary to infection seemed to retain greater ambulatory potential.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to CP in developed countries, the etiology in LMIC's is largely related to birth-related complications and post-natal infections. There is an urgent need to address preventable causes of cerebral palsy in Nepal.