Epidemiology of Cerebral Palsy in Jalandhar

Objective: Cerebral palsy is primarily a disorder of movement and posture. The purpose of this study was to find out the various etiological factors, associated handicaps, clinical profile and nature of treatment taken by children having cerebral palsy through a screening camp.

Method: Total 193 children between the age of one year to thirteen years were registered in a camp held at Lyallpur Khalsa College, Jalandhar, Punjab for two days in the month of February, 2007.Clinical findings of each child was recorded in a predeveloped format consisting of birth history, motor assessment, associated problems, gross motor function, deformity, gait and nature of treatment taken.

Result: Out of 193 children reported at the camp, 154 were identified as having cerebral palsy. Spastic subtype of cerebral palsy constituted the predominant group(65.8%) followed by mixed type (5.18%),dystonic(4.7%), athetoid (2.5%) and flaccid(1.5%). 40.93% children had some associated problems like convulsion disorder (17.61%) subnormal intelligence (9.8%)and speech defects(13.46%). Majority of the children (36.26%) were at sitting level and only 12.43% had achieved independent ambulation. Equinus foot and knee flexion deformity were commonly observed among diplegics (39.89%).

Conclusion: Prematurity and birth asphyxia found to be the most common contributing factors for cerebral palsy. Spastic diplegia constituted predominant presentation. Convulsion disorders were observed as an associated problem in majority of children having cerebral palsy.