Etiology of Cerebral Palsy in a Group of Patients G Akhan, N Eren, A R Örmeci, B Tunç, H Yorgancıgil A total of 115 children (55 girls and 60 boys) , who are attending to the Isparta Branch of The National Association of Spastic Children, were examined. The cause of cerebral palsy (CP) were determined to be due to the following factors, in order: natal, 54%; unknown, 16%; postnatal, 15%; and prenatal, 15%. Prenatal factors were taking medicine during pregnancy (2%), maternal infection (2%), infants of diabetic mothers (1%), microcephaly (4%), multiple birth (4%) and having a relative with CP (2%). Natal factors of CP were determined to be birth asphyxia (37%), prematurity and low birth weight (14%) and surmaturation (3%). Causative postnatal events were infection (5%), convulsion (3%), trauma (1%), and hyperbiluribinemia (7%). Birth asphyxia, which was diagnosed in 37% of patients with CP, is not dependent solely on labor. To lower the prevalence of CP, not only optimal conditions should be provided for the birth process, but also medical care should be given to the mothers before and during their pregnancy. |