Community Medicine Abstracts - College of Medicine and Health ...

Project No. 144 (1998)Cerebral Palsy in the UAE: Possible Aetiological Factors, Types, Associationwith Seizures and Awareness of CP in FamiliesStudent Authors: Ali Al Melaih, Saif Al KaabiFaculty Supervisors: Dr. A. BenerAbstract:Objective To determine the frequency of CP in Al Ain and Tawam Hospital in Al Ain,United Arab Emirates.Methods The study was designed as a descriptive retrospective study. A sample of 51medical records of children with CP in Al Ain and Tawam Hospitals were reviewed to fillin special data forms. Family members were interviewed to fill in questionnaires.Results Risk factors correlated to CP were prematurity, low birth weight, somepregnancy and delivery complications seen in 41 out of 51 (80.4%). 19 cases out of45 (42.2%) were found to be preterm. 20 cases out of 41 (48.8%) found to be lowbirth weight. 16 of 20 (80%) them were Very Low Birth Weight. 16 cases out of 23 ofterm children had HIE. The commonest type of CP was Spastic Diplegia (49%) of thewhole sample and the least common type was the ataxic CP. Periventricularleucomalacia in US and Brain Atrophy in CT and MRI were the most striking findings.Seizures were associated with 21 cases (41.2%) with abnormal EEG in 18 (85.7%).Conclusion The most important associated risk factors were prematurity, HIE, LowBirth Weight and complicated antenatal, natal and postnatal period. Spastic CP is thecommon type of CP seen here and Diplegias are the commonest of all spastics. Anintegrated approach to prenatal, perinatal and postnatal problems is needed toprevent CP in both term and preterm babies. The awareness in families about CPseems impressive and probably the social support and the family structure plays a rolein the care for CP children.