BACKGROUND: Cerebral palsy (CP) has largely been an unaddressed problem in low and middle income countries (LMIC's). The purpose of this retrospective study is to provide a facility-based snapshot of CP in Nepal. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 1001 patients diagnosed as having cerebral palsy, presenting to our institution from December 2008 to December 2011, was carried out. RESULTS: Majority of cases were found to be a result of birth complications and post-natal infections. Most children with CP were born at home, presented after walking age and came from socioeconomically unstable or borderline households. Less than 20% were attending school. Spastic diplegia was the most common presentation. Children with post-natal spasticity secondary to infection seemed to retain greater ambulatory potential. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to CP in developed countries, the etiology in LMIC's is largely related to birth-related complications and post-natal infections. There is an urgent need to address preventable causes of cerebral palsy in Nepal.
BACKGROUND:Cerebral palsy (CP) has largely been an unaddressed problem in low and middle income countries (LMIC's). The purpose of this retrospective study is to provide a facility-based snapshot of CP in Nepal. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 1001 patients diagnosed as having cerebral palsy, presenting to our institution from December 2008 to December 2011, was carried out. RESULTS: Majority of cases were found to be a result of birth complications and post-natal infections. Most children with CP were born at home, presented after walking age and came from socioeconomically unstable or borderline households. Less than 20% were attending school. Spastic diplegia was the most common presentation. Children with post-natal spasticity secondary to infection seemed to retain greater ambulatory potential. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to CP in developed countries, the etiology in LMIC's is largely related to birth-related complications and post-natal infections. There is an urgent need to address preventable causes of cerebral palsy in Nepal.
Authors: Drake G LeBrun; Bibek Banskota; Ashok K Banskota; Tarun Rajbhandari; Keith D Baldwin; David A Spiegel Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2019-01 Impact factor: 4.176