Associated Impairments among Children with Cerebral Palsy in Rural Bangladesh—Findings from the Bangladesh Cerebral Palsy Register

Abstract

Background: We aimed to describe the burden, severity, and underlying factors of associated impairments among children with cerebral palsy (CP) in rural Bangladesh. Methods: This study reports findings from the Bangladesh Cerebral Palsy Register—the first population-based surveillance of children with CP in any LMIC, where children with confirmed CP aged < 18 years are registered by a multidisciplinary team following a standard protocol. Associated impairments were documented based on clinical assessment, available medical records, and a detailed clinical history provided by the primary caregivers. Descriptive analysis, as well as unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression, were completed using R. Results: Between January 2015 and February 2022, 3820 children with CP were registered (mean (SD) age at assessment: 7.6 (5.0) y; 39% female). Overall, 81% of children had ≥1 associated impairment; hearing: 18%, speech: 74%, intellectual: 40%, visual: 14%, epilepsy: 33%. The presence of a history of CP acquired post-neonatally and having a gross motor function classification system levels III–V significantly increased the odds of different types of associated impairments in these children. Most of the children had never received any rehabilitation services and were not enrolled in any mainstream or special education system. Conclusions: The burden of associated impairments was high among children with CP, with comparatively low receipt of rehabilitation and educational services in rural Bangladesh. Comprehensive intervention could improve their functional outcome, participation, and quality of life.

Task-oriented training effect on promoting motor skills and daily physical activities in learners with musculoskeletal impairment

“…There were minor changes in the severity of the symptoms studied in children in the control group throughout the observation period. These results are consistent with those of other researcher includingChurch et al (2022);Shahid, Kashif, and Shahid (2023);Edwards et al (2021) andNarayan et al (2023). Training resulted in significant changes in spasticity and muscle strength in both groups.…”

A study on risk factors, clinical profile, spectrum of comorbidities in children with cerebral palsy and efficacy of early intervention by rehabilitation units on neurodevelopmental outcome in these children

“…Once deformities and contractures develop in CP children, it becomes very difficult to achieve normal mobility.36.9% of children had speech, and language problems in this study. This is comparable to the study by Gowda et al (38%) but is 74% in a study by Narayan et al6,16 DQ was severely affected in children with spastic quadriplegic type of CP (56.7%) whereas in diplegic type it was 22%. Cognition was normal in the majority of diplegic CP children as the insult is in the periventricular white matter region leading to predominant motor problems in the lower limbs in diplegic CP.…”

Habilidades funcionales de niños, niñas y adolescentes con parálisis cerebral y su relación con el compromiso motor y la discapacidad intelectual en Argentina.

“…Existe evidencia que los niños, niñas y adolescentes con PC presentan con mayor frecuencia DI (22)(23)(24)(25) .…”