Authors: Enoh Jacob E, Cissé L, Azagoh-Kouadio R, Diambra L.M, Couitchere Line S, Ouattara G J, Abina M.P, Oulai S.M.
Introduction: Cerebral palsy remains a real public health problem. The objective of this work was to describe the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary profile of this condition in order to contribute to a better understanding.
Patients and Methods: This is a four-year descriptive retrospective study, from January 2014 to December 2017, of patients followed in general pediatric consultation at Treichville Teaching Hospital. It involved 84 children aged 4 months to 13 years with cerebral palsy diagnosed on the basis of anamnestic, clinical arguments associated with brain damage on cranioencephalic imaging.
Results: Cerebral palsy accounted for 4.2%. The average age was 23.09 months and the sex ratio were 1.89. Previous history was dominated by neonatal suffering (71.5%) and perinatal infection (51.2%). The main signs were hemiplegia (42.8%), tetraplegia (19.1%), and pyramidal forms (78.6%). The disorders associated with cerebral palsy were dominated by epilepsy, language disorders. From a nutritional point of view, 26.2% were acutely malnourished. The imaging results were dominated by subcortical cortical (50%) and cortical atrophy (24%). Perinatal causes were the most frequent (69.2%) and maternal infection was the most common etiology (32.4%). Follow-up was regular in 61.9% of children, 38.1% were out of sight.
Conclusion: In our context, in the absence of multidisciplinary follow-up, emphasis should be laid on training medical personnel in obstetrical and perinatal care to better prevent the occurrence of cerebral palsy.
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