Prevalence, Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation and Management of Cerebral Palsy in Sana'a City, Yemen
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Abstract
Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the leading cause of physical disability in children, with prevalence varying widely between high-income and low- and middle-income countries.
Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors, clinical features, investigations, and management strategies of CP among children in Sana’a, Yemen.
Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at two tertiary hospitals in Sana’a for 2 years; from January 2016 to December 2017. A total of 304,000 pediatric records were reviewed, of which 105 complete records of CP patients were analyzed. Data on sociodemographic factors, risk factors, clinical presentation, investigations, and management were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 24.0.
Results: The prevalence of CP was 0.03%. The majority of patients were male (66.7%) and under five years of age (61.9%). In more than half of the cases, the etiology was unknown (52.4%), while perinatal asphyxia was the predominant identifiable risk factor (29.5%). Gross motor delay (69.5%) and quadriplegia (59.0%) were the most frequent clinical features. Pediatric and orthopedic referrals were the predominant consultations, and CT scans often revealed mild brain atrophy (31.4%). Antispastic medications were the most frequently used management strategy (58.1%).
Conclusion: CP in Sana’a, Yemen, shows a predominance in males and young children, with perinatal asphyxia as a leading risk factor. Gross motor delay and quadriplegia were the main clinical features. Improving perinatal care and establishing a multidisciplinary management approach may reduce the burden of CP in similar settings.
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Cerebral Palsy, USTH, Al-Thawra hospital, Yemen
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