Relationship between etiological factors and topographic distribution in children with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Introduction: Cerebral palsy is a health condition that seriously impacts the life condition of children and their family. Different risk factors are becoming increasingly important in its etiology. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the most frequent risk factors for cerebral palsy and their association with topographic distribution in children aged 0 to 15 years in the city of Barranquilla. Methods: An analytical observational cross-sectional survey type study was conducted with a sample of 78 children diagnosed with cerebral palsy in the city of Barranquilla, where the association of the most frequent risk factors of this condition with the topographic distribution was analyzed. Results: The risk factors associated with cerebral palsy in order of importance were: perinatal hypoxia, gestational history of maternal infections, maternal trauma and congenital malformations. There was statistically significant association between gestational weeks at birth and GMFCS level (p<0.05) and between gestational weeks and topographic distribution. Conclusions: Subjects with higher gestational age presented greater involvement at the level of motor function and a more extensive topographic distribution.