[Epidemiological and clinical profile of cerebral palsy at the Bobo-dioulasso university hospital (Burkina Faso)].

INTRODUCTION

Cerebral palsy is the leading cause of motor disability in children.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the epidemiological and clinical profiles of cerebral palsy in children seen at the of Bobo-Dioulasso University Hospital.

POPULATION AND

METHODS

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study prospectively conducted at the Department of Physical Medicine at the University Hospital of Bobo-Dioulasso over a period of one year from 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013. Our study population consisted of all children aged between 0 and 15 years received during the study period displaying cerebral palsy symptoms.

RESULTS

We studied 174 patients including 106 boys and 68 girls. The average age was 32.79 months. Etiological factors were dominated by prematurity (34.5%) and cerebral anoxia (25.86%). The main clinical presentations were diplegia (50%), quadriplegia (19.54%), hemiplegia (14.37%), monoplegia (10.34%) and triplegia (5.75%). The most common associated symptoms were epilepsy (15%), eye disorders (12.6%), and hearing problems (10%).

CONCLUSION

Due to its frequency and disabling potential, cerebral palsy is a major public health problem in Burkina Faso. Its support in the African environment is heavily complicated by self-medication and traditional therapy.