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 ce- rebral 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 Barran- quilla, 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.