Frequency and Severity of Depression in Mothers of Cerebral Palsy Children

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a term used for non-progressive brain malformation during the development of brain, affects body movement and motor function. The global prevalence of CP is roughly ranging 1.4 to 4 per 1000 live births. It is observed that parents of CP child especially mothers has elevated levels of stress and depression than a mother of normal children. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and severity of depression in mothers of children with cerebral palsy attending tertiary care hospital. MATERIAL & METHODS: This is descriptive Cross Sectional study conducted at department of Neurology Civil Hospital Karachi / Dow University of Health Sciences from 01st March 2013 to 31st August 2013. Data was collected from Neurology OPD, Civil Hospital Karachi and Rehabilitation Centre DUHS Karachi. Urdu version of Siddiqui-Shah Depression Scale (SSDS) questionnaire used as a tool to identify depression among mothers' of CP child. RESULTS: A total of 81 mothers, the primary caregiver of the CP children with history of cerebral palsy of at least 6 months duration, were evaluated. Out of those 40(49.38%) mothers of children with cerebral palsy had depression. Among them 30% (12/40) had mild depression, 60% (24/40) moderate and 10%(4/40) had severe depression. CONCLUSION: Depression is very much prevalent among mothers of CP children. This finding demands development of some effective guidelines, for the management of entire family particularly mother of a CP child.