An Evaluation of Risk Factors for Cerebral Palsy in Children in Jos, Nigeria

Aim: To evaluate the incidence of risk factors for cerebral palsy (CP) in children at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, North-Central Nigeria.

Study Design: This was a case control study.

Place and Duration of Study: Pediatric neurology clinic, Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria between January 2015 and October 2016.

Methodology: We recruited consecutive children with CP attending the pediatric neurology clinic of Jos University Teaching Hospital as cases and children without CP attending the general pediatric out-patient clinic of the hospital as controls. We used structured questionnaires and hospital records to document all relevant information of the patients and their parents. We also conducted detailed physical examination for each patient and performed specialized examinations and investigations if necessary. Data obtained was analysed with Stata software version 14. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the Health Research Ethical Committee of Jos University Teaching Hospital. Informed consent was obtained from the parent/guardian of each participant.

Results: Majority of the study subjects were males (156, 55.8%) and aged 1-5 years (244, 87.2%). Risk factors that were significantly associated with cerebral palsy were home delivery, birth asphyxia, neonatal jaundice and central nervous system infections. Children with history of home delivery, birth asphyxia, neonatal jaundice and central nervous system infections were more likely than controls to develop CP: adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=3.26 (1.68-5.21), p<0.001; AOR=6.78 (3.52-13.37), p<0.001; AOR=1.87 (1.07-3.29), p=0.03 and AOR=2.69 (1.08-7.16), p=0.03 respectively.

Conclusion: CP in the majority of children in our study was associated with potentially preventable risk factors. Improvement in basic healthcare especially maternal and newborn care will help reduce the incidence of CP.