PAEDIATRIC CEREBRAL PALSY PREVALENCE AND HIGH-RISK FACTORS IN HENAN PROVINCE, CENTRAL CHINA

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of, and risk factors for, cerebral palsy in Henan province, China. Methods: The prevalence of cerebral palsy in children aged 0-6 years between September 2011 and September 2012 was investigated using a stratified-clustered-random sampling method. An age-, sex- , and residence-matched control group of typically developing children was recruited. Univariate analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis were used to identify risk factors associated with cerebral palsy. Results: The prevalence of cerebral palsy in Henan province was 2.37 per 1,000 live births. Risk factors included: moving into a newly painted room; complicating maternal diseases (infection, heart disease, hypertension, anaemia, diabetes, kidney disease) during pregnancy; high gravidity (> 3); foetal asphyxia; low birth-weight (<2,500 g); and hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. Conclusion: The prevalence of cerebral palsy in Henan province was 2.37 per 1,000 live births. Parents and clinicians should be aware of the risk factors for cerebral palsy.